Recognizing the increasing need for real-time audio, video and lively text
among corporations, Cisco Systems Inc. Monday agreed to resell RealNetworks
Inc.’s prized IQ streaming software suite to enterprise customers.
Under the agreement, for which financial terms were not revealed, Cisco will
incorporate RealSystem iQ into its content networking product family,
enabling customers to build streaming services and applications from their
digital media applications. In addition to reselling the IQ platform, Cisco
also include RealSystem Server 8 and RealSystem Proxy 8 within its content
networking product line.
RealSystem iQ delivers the quality of RealVideo 8 and RealAudio 8,
MPEG1, MPEG2, MP3, Apple QuickTime, Flash, and over 45 media types to all
devices.
While many content delivery networks (CDNs) and various broadcasters have
procured IQ for use, the deal with Cisco marks the company’s foray into the
enterprise to ink more corporate customers. Cisco plans to sell IQ with
networking products that — surprise — speed up the delivery of content by
alleviating congestion throughout a network.
“Today’s Internet and corporate intranets have grown beyond simple text, to
a world of rich media that requires a new approach to network architecture,”
said Mike Volpi, senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Cisco
Systems.
“With this strategic agreement, Cisco and RealNetworks advance the delivery
of the next generation.”
Additionally, RealNetworks and Cisco will cooperatively market and sell
digital delivery solutions to access ISP’s and network service providers.
