Cisco on Thursday announced it is buying Tropo, a privately held company which specializes in Cloud APIs for voice and text applications.
Founded in 2009, Tropo technology is designed to enable developers to build applications that integrate into service provider’s existing communications infrastructure. It also develops APIs which allow IT departments to build business applications to reach end-users through voice and SMS. It works with both enterprises and telcos, including Deutsche Telekom AG and Globe in the Philippines, and has partnerships with companies such as IBM Corp. and Ericsson AB owned Apcera.
Together, Cisco and Tropo will provide a collaboration platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) aimed at letting enterprise and partner developers to create and sell new communications services with minimal development effort.
In a post on the Cisco blog, Cisco’s Head of Corporate Development Hilton Romanski wrote “Tropo’s robust APIs and its 200K+-strong developer network gives Cisco the ability to extend the power of its collaboration technologies to third-party applications and end-points”.
“Tropo’s technology will enable developers to build applications that integrate into the Service Provider’s existing communications infrastructure, providing the Service Provider with an advantage over OTT competitors and ways to generate new sources of revenue.”
As part of the deal, the Tropo team will join Cisco’s Collaboration Technology Group under the leadership of Rowan Trollope, SVP and general manager, where its cloud API platform will be combined with Cisco’s cloud collaboration offers
Johnny Diggz from Tropo said they are excited to be working with Cisco.
“From Enterprise to Service Providers, Cisco is hands down the most well-respected brand in voice and video; and with their recent introduction of Spark, they are gearing up to put ultra high-quality video and collaboration tools into the pockets of every remote team, classroom, space station and home office. If we slap an API on even half this stuff you’re all in for a serious treat!”
The acquisition is set to be complete by the end of July 2015. Neither Cisco nor Tropo disclosed details of the deal.
