Cisco and Microsoft moved from confrontation to cooperation

The leaders of the two corporations affirmed that their unified communications products could interact with each other to meet the needs of users.

Although both are leading technology companies, Cisco and Microosft do not compete with each other to produce network equipment and software. However, they are rivals in distributing a system capable of integrating e-mail, phones and other tools through the Internet.

Steve Ballmer (left) and John Chambers.Photo: Reuters

John Chambers executives from Cisco and Steve Ballmer of Microsoft insisted that the two sides would not "give way" to each other in some areas. But for the sake of customers, they will soon build a specific cooperation plan in the future.

Microsoft and Cisco's network equipment maker Nortel - jointly developed unified communications technology last year. The US software group also acquired Tellme Networks, a service provider, just a day before Cisco said it would merge the WebEx Communications video conference company. Previously, Cisco also joined hands with IBM and contributed capital to software company VMWare.