Due Diligence and Early Success ETG is certainly no toe in the water exploration. "Companies want to reduce the number of headaches from their IT infrastructure. Now our internal venturing group gives them another great option for showcasing their talents. Chris Lewis, a lead analyst for Ovum, an international technology consultancy, says Cisco is well served to put greater emphasis on integrated communications tools. "We have some proof points, but we have much more work to do," De Beer says. "The opportunities are many but the market waits for no one. Over the past few years, Cisco has focused on getting back on track after the bursting of the Internet bubble. Charles Waltner is a freelance writer in Piedmont, Calif. " ETG, which works out of Cisco's headquarters in San Jose, Calif. Through these early trials, De Beer's team was able to test and refine its processes. There are very few times in history like this, and Cisco is in the center of it. Our group brings that new dimension to Cisco. When Cisco started its acquisition strategy, the common attitude in the industry was that mergers and acquisition don't work for technology. Lucky ones might start a new business within ETG. " Integration and Growth Regardless of the idea, De Beer says integration is a touchstone for his group. " In addition to Cisco TelePresence, the group now shepherds three other businesses: digital media systems, video surveillance, and the IPICS emergency response communications system. Through these early trials, De Beer's team was able to test and refine its processes. Lucky ones might start a new business within ETG. One of De Beer's prototype start-ups was a video communications system that has received wide acclaim for delivering a true "in-person" virtual conference experience. Now, however, the company is well prepared to support such an ambitious undertaking as internal venturing. Now, however, the company is well prepared to support such an ambitious undertaking as internal venturing. "The number-one concern for multi-nationals to the corner store is simplification," he says. "When these pioneering business leaders and technologists joined Cisco, they didn't stop becoming innovative," Giancarlo says. " Other reviewers noted that they found Cisco TelePresence "as impressive as its hype" and believed it is "a potential killer app. But if you have an idea and your group can't act on it, ETG is always willing to listen. But if you have an idea and your group can't act on it, ETG is always willing to listen. Through these early trials, De Beer's team was able to test and refine its processes.
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