Cisco, Google Team up on Product Developments for Chromebooks

Cisco Systems Inc. teamed up with Google Inc. to integrate WebEx to Chromebooks. This is part of Cisco's effort to stretch WebEx's integration in different devices and Web browsers to gain more popularity in the technology industry.

The networking equipment company has been aiming to have its unified communications (UC) portfolio in a wide array of technology gadgets including Apple Mac Systems, Google Apps and Windows-based personal computers. But in order to increase its popularity and usability in more devices, especially WebEx, the company partnered with Google to incorporate it with its well-liked Chromebook.

Chromebook is a computer that has gained progressive sales and popularity in the past years in the United States. It is "designed to make computing easier and better for everyone. Businesses of all sizes prefer their low total cost of ownership, central web-based management console and built-in, strong security mechanisms," said Saswat Panigrahi, product manager at Chrome for Business, in a blog post. "They're also great devices for collaborating from anywhere, any time. Today we're adding another tool for businesses to connect on the go."

During the Enterprise Connect 2014 show in Florida, Cisco Technology Group SVP Rowan Trollope said that his company will work with Google to develop products. The said collaboration of the two companies is believed to affect Microsoft that competes with Google in the productivity application space and Cisco's Lync UC platform.

However, Cisco isn't working with Google to add up to their competition. The company just wants to have an extensive area for its operations for its WebEx and other platforms.

"Our intention is to be everywhere, but we want to have a...better experience on Chromebooks," said Trollope to eWeek. "We wanted to create a better experience on Chromebooks than you can get anywhere else."

WebEx is a subsidiary of Cisco that makes hassle-free collaboration, conferencing, online meeting, and video conferencing possible. Its products include Meeting Center, Event Center, Training Center, and Remote Support.