Cisco announces collaboration solutions

Cisco Quad is a platform designed for enterprise collaboration to integrates voice, video and social networking into one workspace

Convergence & VoIP Alert By Larry Hettick, Network World
June 22, 2010 10:31 AM ET

Cisco recently unveiled collaboration solutions designed to more easily connect people and give them access and content irrespective of location. Included in the announcement: plans for the Cisco Quad to be available later this year with native iPad and iPhone applications; a new video solution that integrates Cisco FocalPoint with a business-class Cisco Flip MinoPRO camcorder; and support for Cisco WebEx Connect IM on multiple browsers.

Cisco Quad is a platform designed for enterprise collaboration to integrates voice, video and social networking into one workspace. Cisco Quad can be used to more quickly search for content within organizations, as well as locate people and expertise. Quad also integrates with content management systems such as Microsoft SharePoint and Documentum, along with voice and video communications solutions like the Cisco Unified Communications. Mobile Quad applications have been optimized for the Apple iPad and iPhone so employees to remain connected and engaged in interactions with their colleagues around the globe. Cisco plans call for the Quad to be available in early 2011.

Cisco's latest video solution offers a new online video workspace called "FocalPoint" with a new business-class Flip MinoPRO camcorder. FocalPoint offers cloud-based management, sharing and editing capabilities so organizations can interact with their video content. FocalPoint uses SSL to secure Web sessions and for data protection.

Commenting on the developments on a prepared statement, Tony Bates, Cisco senior vice president and general manager, enterprise, commercial and small business said, "Cisco's vision for a new workspace is about empowering organizations with a broader range of collaborative experiences. Not only is it seamless and integrated, but it also gives people and teams the power to choose what combination of content, media, and devices will make them most productive."

Cisco's latest WebEx Connect IM lets users access contact lists and send instant messages via a browser-based IM client without the need for a client download. The Windows client for Cisco WebEx Connect IM has also now been localized for French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.