Webex

{{short description|American web conferencing and videoconferencing company}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Webex by Cisco

| logo = Cisco Webex logo - Brandlogos.net.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert

| company_type = Subsidiary

| foundation = {{Start date and age|1995}}

| predecessor = WebEx Communications, Inc.

| location = San Jose, California (United States)

| founder = Subrah Iyar
Min Zhu

| key_people = Chuck Robbins (CEO)
Frank A. Calderoni (CFO)

| industry = Videoconferencing, web conferencing, Unified communications as a service

| products = Webex App, Webex Suite, Webex Meeting, Webex Messaging, Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, Webex Devices

| revenue = US$380 million (2006)

| num_employees = 10,000+ (2015)

| parent = Cisco Systems

| website = {{url|http://www.webex.com}}

}}

Webex by Cisco, is an American subsidiary of Cisco Systems that develops and sells web conferencing, videoconferencing and contact center as a service applications.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/cisco-relaunches-webex-with-new-branding-and-new-focus-on-hybrid-meetings-51623189407|title=Cisco Relaunches Webex With New Branding and New Focus on Hybrid Meetings|website=Barrons.com|access-date=2021-06-11}} It was founded as WebEx Communications, Inc., in 1995 and acquired by Cisco Systems in May 2007. Its headquarters are in San Jose, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about.html |title=About Cisco|date=February 2022}}

Its software products include Webex App, Webex Suite, Webex Meetings, Webex Messaging, Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, and Webex Devices.{{cite web|author=Webex |url=https://www.webex.com/ |title=Video Conferencing, Cloud Calling & Screen Sharing | Webex by Cisco |publisher=Webex.com |date=2018-03-19 |accessdate=2022-04-23}} All Webex products are part of the Cisco Systems collaboration portfolio.{{Cite web |last=Berndtson |first=Chad |date=2020 |title=Cisco Revamps Collaboration Portfolio Around WebEx Brand |url=https://www.techtarget.com/searchunifiedcommunications/definition/Cisco-Webex |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=CRN |language=en}}

History

WebEx Communications, Inc., was founded in 1995 by Subrah Iyar and Min Zhu. It had its initial public offering in July 2000.{{cite web |url= https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=3080774 |title=Cisco announces agreement to acquire WebEx |date=March 15, 2007 |publisher=Cisco |access-date=June 7, 2020}} WebEx was listed on the NASDAQ National Market, and then the NASDAQ Global Select Market, when that was introduced in 2006.{{cite press release |url= http://www.webex.com/pr/pr409.html |title=WebEx selected for new NASDAQ Global Select Market |date=June 27, 2006 |publisher=WebEx |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061109071156/http://www.webex.com/pr/pr409.html |archive-date=November 9, 2006}}

The company acquired Intranets.com in 2005, providing entrance into the small- and mid-size business market through the company's customer base of businesses with fewer than 100 employees. It acquired the ability to offer online collaboration tools such as discussion forums, document sharing and calendaring while Intranets.com provided access to the Webex communications environment for its customers.Solhein, Shelley (August 8, 2005). "Webex tools get Intranets infusion". eweek.

In May 2007, Cisco acquired WebEx for $3.2 billion.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2007/05/29/1272059/0/en/Cisco-Completes-Acquisition-of-WebEx.html | title=Cisco Completes Acquisition of WebEx | publisher=GlobeNewswire | date=May 29, 2007}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1470724/cisco-completes-3-2b-webex-acquisition.html | title=Cisco completes $3.2B WebEx acquisition | work=Computerworld | date=May 30, 2007}}

At the time of the acquisition, all Webex applications were built on the MediaTone platform and supported by the Webex MediaTone Network (originally called the Webex interactive network),[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718012645/http://developer.webex.com/c/document_library/get_file?groupId=10465&folderId=11420&name=DLFE-226.pdf Cisco DevNet]. Developer.webex.com. Retrieved on 2014-02-27. a global network intended for use with on-demand programs. The network was designed by Shaun Bryant, Webex's Chief Network Architect,http://entreprise.jigsaw.com/id70704_d80/webex_communications_inc_it_is_business_contacts.xhtml{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and Zaid Ali Sr, Network Architect, to be one of the first SaaS platforms on the Internet.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

In July 2006, AOL and Webex launched a business version of AOL's instant messaging software, AIM Pro, with additional features to help workers collaborate using conferencing tools offered by Webex.{{cite web|date=19 July 2006|title=AOL Launches AIM Pro Service|url=https://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/aol-launches-aim-pro-service|access-date=2 October 2020|website=eWeek}}

On September 26, 2006, the company announced plans to offer a web collaboration "mashup" platform called "Webex Connect".{{cite web |url=http://www.webex.com/partners/webex-connect.html |title=Webex is expanding from connecting people to connecting process and applications in real time |website=Webex |access-date=2018-11-09 |archive-date=February 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226175257/http://www.webex.com/partners/webex-connect.html |url-status=dead }}

On November 17, 2014, Cisco announced an evolution of Webex called Project Squared.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/17/ciscos-new-project-squared-collaboration-tool-gives-webex-a-run-for-its-money |title=Cisco's New Project Squared Collaboration Tool Offers Modern Alternative To Aging Webex |website=TechCrunch |date=2014-11-17 |access-date=2018-11-09}} On March 17, 2015 this effort was re-branded as Cisco Spark.{{cite web|url=https://www.eweek.com/networking/cisco-re-brands-project-squared-collaboration-effort-as-spark |title=Cisco Re-brands Project Squared Collaboration Effort as Spark |website=e-Week |date=2015-03-17 |access-date=2020-09-03}}

On April 18, 2018, Cisco announced that Cisco Spark would be combined into the Cisco Webex platform. On this same date, Cisco rebranded all of the rest of their Spark products to Webex, including the Spark Room Kit—now Webex Room Kit—and Spark Board—now Webex Board.[http://www.videocentric.co.uk/news/cisco-turns-spark-webex-teams/ "Cisco Turns their Spark into Webex Teams"], VideoCentric, Reading, Berkshire, 25 April 2018.

On May 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cisco CFO Kelly Kramer reported in the month of April 2020, they had 500 million meeting attendees, and that equated to 25 billion meeting minutes, using its video-conferencing application Webex.{{cite web|url= https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/cisco-boasts-amazing-takeup-of-web-ex-as-lockeddown-users-flock-to-video-conferencing-175343698.html |title= Cisco boasts 'amazing takeup' of Webex as locked-down users flock to video conferencing |work= Yahoo Finance | date=May 15, 2020}}

In September 2020, Cisco launched a new platform Webex Classrooms for virtual homeroom encounters.{{cite web|date=1 September 2020|title=Cisco debuts Webex Classrooms|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/cisco-debuts-webex-classrooms/ar-BB18Bira|access-date=2 October 2020|website=msn news}}

On October 26, 2021, Cisco launched an update aimed to enhance virtual and hybrid in-person meetings and events, using AI-powered technology for their Webex portfolio.{{cite web|date=2021-10-26|title=Cisco launches new AI-powered and hybrid event features for Webex|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/10/26/cisco-launches-new-ai-powered-and-hybrid-event-features-for-webex/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}

In May 2024, Cisco and Tata Communications partnered to launch Webex Calling in India. {{Cite web |title=Cisco Webex |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/cisco-and-tata-communications-partner-to-launch-webex-calling-in-india-124052201122_1.html}}

Services

The WebEx Connect product allows for custom communication workflows, such as those used in customer relationship management. The product allows plug-ins to the WebEx platform to connect to popular messaging and social media platforms.{{cite web |url=https://cpaas.webex.com/products/webex-connect |title=Cloud communications platform, built for the enterprise}}

Defunct products include a business version of AOL's instant messaging software, AIM Pro, with additional features to help workers collaborate using conferencing tools offered by Webex.{{cite web|date=19 July 2006|title=AOL Launches AIM Pro Service|url=https://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/aol-launches-aim-pro-service|access-date=2 October 2020|website=eWeek}}

Related acquisitions by Cisco

In October 2020, Cisco acquired BabbleLabs.{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Georgia|date=2 October 2020|title=Cisco acquires BabbleLabs to enhance Webex Platform features|url=https://www.businesschief.com/corporate-finance-2/cisco-acquires-babblelabs-enhance-webex-platform-features|access-date=2 October 2020|website=Business Chief}}

In February 2021, Cisco acquired imimobile, a provider of communications platform as a service (CPaaS) solutions for its Webex collaboration portfolio IMImobile.{{cite web|title=Cisco Completes Acquisition of IMImobile PLC|url=https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/corporate-strategy-office/acquisitions/imimobile.html}}

Legal proceedings and inquiries

= Goldman Sachs securities fraud investigation =

As a result of a securities fraud investigation initiated by the SEC and by various state Attorney General offices, Goldman Sachs faced charges of issuing unfair research, including coverage of WebEx, and IPO violations for the period 1999 to 2001. Webex management allegedly dictated to Goldman Sachs analysts what the research should and should not include. Webex maintains the management's information was accurate.{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/comp18113.htm |title=SEC Litigation Complaint 18113 |publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission |date=April 28, 2003 |access-date=2018-11-09}} Another charge accuses Goldman Sachs of violating securities law in its allocation of shares in WebEx's initial public offering.{{cite press release|url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr19051.htm |title=SEC Litigation press release for complaint 19051 |publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission |date=2005-01-25 |access-date=2018-11-09}}

= Raindance lawsuit for patent infringement =

On September 27, 2005, Webex sued Raindance Communications, Inc., a competitor, for patent infringement. On October 14, 2005, Raindance filed a countersuit against Webex for patent infringement. Both parties sought both damages and an injunction enjoining further acts they claim to be infringing on patents.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081224002412/http://ir.webex.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=121018&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9Mzc3MTYyMSZkb2M9MCZhdHRhY2g9b24= WEBEX COMMUNICATIONS INC 10-Q] On March 31, 2006, the parties agreed to the dismissal of both actions, releases of claims for past infringement, payments associated with those releases, and cross-licenses to each other's patents. The agreement resulted in Webex receiving 1 million dollars from Raindance.