Skip to main content

Downsizing Cisco acquires Versly

Cisco CEO John Chambers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Technology giant Cisco has announced it is acquiring privately-held Versly for an unspecified amount. Versly makes collaboration tools that interoperate with Microsoft Office productivity applications, enabling users to work together on documents, spreadsheets, email, and presentations. Cisco plans to integrate Versly capabilities into its WebEx online collaboration and conferencing system, along with Cisco Jabber, Cisco Quad, and other online communication tools.

Recommended Videos

“Collaboration is a top priority at Cisco,” said Cisco’s Collaboration Software Group VP and general manager Murali Sitaram, in a statement. “With this acquisition we’re enhancing our collaboration offerings and improving the user experience by integrating social technologies within the business applications individuals and teams use at work.”

Collaboration is one of the five areas Cisco is focusing on as its seeks to retool its business and shore up its bottom line. Earlier this summer, Cisco announced plans to trim some 9 percent of its workforce, streamline management, and shed some operations in order to make the company more efficient. Yet Cisco is still acquiring enterprises: last week, the company announced plans to spent $31 million to buy the software fulfillment outfit formerly known as Axoim Systems from Comptel’s UK subsidiary—so Cisco is adding headcount and operations at the same time it’s trying to trim itself down.

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Asus Zenbook A14 vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: a very narrow win for Microsoft
Asus Zenbook A14 front angled view showing display and keyboard.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 has been one of the best laptops you can buy, along with the best example yet of the new wave of Windows on ARM laptops. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X lineup has been the driver of this movement, and the Surface Laptop 7 makes great use of the platform.

But it's not alone. The Asus Zenbook A14 combines the Snapdragon X with a lightweight chassis and a reasonably efficient OLED display for a great build and battery life. Can it compete with Microsoft's best laptop?
Specs and configurations

Read more
I tried a hidden tool in Edge and Opera. Now it’s hard to go back to Safari
Opera Pinboards on a MacBook Air.

Imagine a browser that lets you create a visual diary, one that saves all your favorite content with rich previews and clean organization, while syncing across all your devices? Well, you won’t find that nirvana on Safari, but you can experience it on Opera and Microsoft Edge. 

Over the past couple of years, my browser loyalty has shifted wildly. From the comfort of Chrome and Safari to experiments with Firefox and Arc, I’ve tried to find a home elsewhere, but haven’t been able to stick with one. 

Read more
Microsoft accounts will push you to ditch passwords and use a passkey
Passkey sign in for Microsoft account.

Microsoft joined the passkey party in May last year, and today, it has announced the next step to protect folks using a Windows PC or any other Microsoft service. Moving ahead, all new Microsoft accounts will go password-less by default. Convenience and enhanced safety, if you will.

Imagine a world where you don’t have to remember complex passwords, or hackers cracking their way past it with ease for your Microsoft account. The solution to that security utopia is passkeys, which are essentially digital keys that turn your trusted devices into a login key.

Read more