Cisco Systems was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company's inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. This tradition of IP innovation continues with industry-leading products in the core areas of routing and switching, as well as other advanced technologies.

The network router is quickly evolving from a device dedicated to connecting disparate networks to an integrated services device capable of multiple functions beyond routing. Cisco customers are increasingly deploying integrated services routers, or sophisticated network routers that can deliver voice, video, data and Internet access, wireless, and other applications.

A connected world presents complex security challenges. Business technologies such as interactive Websites, collaborative tools, service-oriented architectures (SOA), and virtualization proliferate within an increasingly sophisticated threat environment. Threats from an eroding perimeter, unsolicited e-mail, botnets, malware, and information theft disrupt productivity, adversely affect customer relationships, and erode profits. IT departments must manage security risks while ensuring regulatory compliance.

In today’s increasingly complex business environments, the network is facing new challenges and must offer more services than ever before. Applications, and the network infrastructure of switches and routers that transport them, are crucial tools for enhancing user productivity and increasing an organization's ability to grow and remain competitive. Large enterprises, small businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies alike must optimize their network switching. This entails these organizations deriving the greatest value from their existing infrastructures while positioning themselves to take full advantage of such technological innovations as IP telephony and wireless LANs.

We live in a world of paradox. Technology has allowed us to establish economically advantageous business operations worldwide. However, to excel in today's fast-moving business environment, you have to interact and collaborate with co-workers, partners, and customers all over the world at a moment's notice. You need to continuously innovate and transform your business model to maintain competitive edge. And you need to plan ahead to respond rapidly to unexpected issues that affect business continuity.

Unified communications help companies contend with growing communication complexity and increasingly mobile workers who now work everywhere, across multiple workspaces, from their desks, conference rooms, airports, warehouses, and even vehicles. Without unified communications, disparate voice, video, data, and mobility applications are not as effective as they could be. The result is information overload and misdirected communications that delay decisions, slow down processes, and reduce productivity.