Cisco to Buy Video Surveillance Firm BroadWare

Although Cisco is much better known as a leading maker of routers and switches that provide the backbone for directing traffic over Internet, the San Jose, Calif., networking equipment company has recently been expanding into video equipment and software with the goal of selling a broader range of products.

BroadWare's software helps businesses manage the large amounts of digital video generated from surveillance cameras, usually on corporate locations. Its products allow video to be synchronized with other security systems, as well as with business software. The company has 38 employees with offices in Santa Clara, Calif., and McLean, Va.

Cisco expects to complete the acquisition in its fiscal fourth quarter that ends July 27.

Security Videos

BroadWare is a pioneer in transmitting audio and video over the Internet and was one of the first to embed video on a Web page. The firm's technology monitors NASA's Goldstone antenna, set in Southern California's Mojave Desert, which tracks the Mars Pathfinder.

Cisco's migration into the surveillance industry signals a larger trend toward convergence of traditional physical security with information technology security, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group.

"Under current security conditions, it's definitely an expanding market," Enderle told TechNewsWorld. Enderle also noted that city governments are aggressively moving into this space looking to manage reams of public security video.

Burgeoning Market

Cisco already sells video surveillance products, including video encoders, which enable users to connect their analog surveillance equipment to a digital Internet protocol network. The buy, however, will likely enhance its presence in the industry.

The deal also highlights the importance Cisco places on the video surveillance industry as a burgeoning market.

"Cisco views the video surveillance infrastructure market as an immediate high-growth opportunity that requires the ability to support both IP and analog device installations," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president of Cisco's emerging market technologies group. "Through the acquisition of BroadWare, Cisco will be able address both existing and greenfield video surveillance opportunities."

The BroadWare team and products will be integrated into Cisco's emerging market technologies group, according to Cisco.

The acquisition should enable Cisco's Web-based monitoring, management, recording, and storage of audio and video capabilities to be accessed anywhere by authorized users.