Cisco Buys Middleware Maker

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco (NasdaqGS:CSCO - News) today announced that it has completed its purchase of privately held Richards-Zeta Building Intelligence, Inc. The Santa Barbara, Calif., company is a leading provider of intelligent middleware technology that enables businesses to integrate building infrastructure and information technology (IT) applications over a common Internet Protocol (IP) network, resulting in improved efficiencies, greater energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint.

"Energy consumption is a global issue, and customers are increasingly demanding that energy management services are delivered over a converged IP architecture. An intelligent IP network is the platform to meet this need," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president of Cisco's Emerging Technologies Group. "Richards-Zeta's intelligent middleware, together with the building-systems expertise of our partners and Cisco's expertise in networking technologies, will deliver complete solutions designed to maximize operational and energy efficiencies and provide cost and carbon savings for customers."

Richards-Zeta's intelligent middleware transforms building operational data into an IT-friendly format that easily integrates with existing applications. Its scalable, open platform enables the convergence of building systems onto an IP network. This integrated solution provides more effective management of energy consumption across an organization.

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)