Cisco Invests in Objective Systems Integrators, Aims to Enhance Network Management Capabilities

Strategic Insights -

Cisco Systems, the leading global supplier of internetworking solutions, has announced a 4.4% equity investment in Objective Systems Integrators (OSI), a leading independent developer of network management software for service providers. The announcement coincides with OSI's initial public offering, which has raised $76 million, making OSI's market capitalization $576 million. Cisco's investment aims to accelerate the development of network management applications for its internetworking technology, enabling service providers to quickly deploy new, enhanced internetworking services.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cisco Systems has made a 4.4% equity investment in Objective Systems Integrators (OSI) to enhance network management capabilities.
  • The investment is part of OSI's initial public offering, which has raised $76 million, making OSI's market capitalization $576 million.
  • The two companies plan to co-develop network management applications for Cisco internetworking technology, enabling service providers to deploy new, enhanced internetworking services.
  • OSI's NetExpert family of products includes a software framework, off-the-shelf network operations support and management applications, programmerless development tools, and related professional services.
  • NetExpert is designed to manage heterogeneous network devices, such as computers, transmission equipment, and switches, regardless of the transmission technology, management protocols, and mediums used in the network.
  • Leading telecommunications companies, including AT&T Wireless, Bell South, British Telecom, MCI, NTT, Pacific Bell, Southwestern Bell, Sprint, and US West, license NetExpert products.
  • OSI has about 200 employees and is headquartered in Folsom, California.

Statistics:

  • $76 million: The amount raised by OSI in its initial public offering.
  • 4.4%: The equity stake of Cisco Systems in OSI.
  • 576 million: The market capitalization of OSI after its initial public offering.
  • 200: The number of employees at OSI.
  • 19: The initial public offering price of OSI common stock.
  • 1.3 million: The number of shares of OSI common stock acquired by Cisco Systems.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "Cisco Systems Invests in Objective Systems Integrators, Inc. (OSI)", December 1, 1995.
  • Cisco Systems press release, "Cisco Systems Invests in Objective Systems Integrators", December 1, 1995.