MUNICH -- To strengthen its activities in real-time communications software, Siemens' Information and Communication Networks Group (ICN) plans to acquire the German company Cycos AG. In May, Siemens will make a public cash offer of EU5.50 per share for all outstanding Cycos stock. The value of the offer will total some EUR42 million. Cycos is a specialist in the fast-growing market for Unified Messaging solutions. The aim of the acquisition is to further expand ICN's leading position in the area of voice and data convergence and to drive the development of its global HiPath IP communications architecture.Following Siemens' decision to make an acquisition offer, Cycos' principle shareholders and others, who together own some 66% of the company's stock, have signaled their willingness to sell their shares to Siemens for EUR5.50 per share. In this connection, a cash offer at the same price will also be made to all remaining Cycos shareholders. The Managing and Supervisory Boards of Cycos AG have welcomed the offer and advised shareholders to accept it.Cycos AG is a software company specializing in Unified Messaging products and solutions. This technology makes possible the reception, output and administration of various types of electronic messages (e.g. voice mail, e-mail, fax and SMS) on different devices by bundling on a uniform technological platform. It enables users to administer and access their voice mail on a PC, to forward voice messages as e-mail attachments and to listen to e-mails on mobile and other external phones. Used in field service applications, for example, Unified Messaging directly enhances employee productivity and cost-effectiveness."Siemens and Cycos have been successfully cooperating for several years in product development and sales. The acquisition will enable ICN's Enterprise Networks Division to further drive the development of our global communications architecture for enterprise customers, expand our market share and reduce the time-to-market for new products. It will also enable Siemens to accelerate the use of so-called WEB service technologies and advance the rigorous integration of real-time communications in IT architectures," explained Andy Mattes, member of ICN's Group Executive Management. Cycos President Klaus Pfleiderer added: "In international competition, Managing Board of Cycos expects a strong partner to provide even greater opportunities for the successful marketing of our products at the global level."For fiscal 2002 (ended December 31), Cycos expects to announce sales of some EUR15 million. The company has around 140 employees at locations in Alsdorf and Stuttgart, Germany, and in Paris, France.Siemens Information and Communications Networks Inc.Cycos AG