Today’s Deals: Cisco Systems Acquires Two More

 Efficient Networks (EFNT) acquires MultiMedia
Development Corp.

  
* 
Amount:         $79
million

  
* 
Terms:           
2.4 million shares

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:        Internet
services

  
* 
Scorecard:      B

DALLAS, Sept. 28–Efficient Networks , a
provider of broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) solutions, announced
that it has acquired privately-held MultiMedia Development
Corporation (MMD), a software vendor providing network management
systems and solutions for the broadband networking industry. MMD brings to Efficient a strong foundation of
management technology and expertise, underscoring Efficient’s strategy to
offer complete broadband solutions to its customers. Under terms of the
agreement, Efficient Networks issued approximately 2.4 million shares of
Efficient common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding stock

of
MMD.




 

 Exodus Communications (EXDS) acquires
GlobalCenter

  
* 
Amount:         $6.1
billion

  
* 
Terms:           
100% stock

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:        Internet
services

  
* 
Scorecard:      A-

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 28–Exodus Communications and Global Crossing Ltd. announced
a definitive merger agreement under which Exodus will acquire GlobalCenter Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Global
Crossing. The two companies which both provide complex Web hosting
services to business customers worldwide will together be positioned to
capture new opportunities in the rapidly growing U.S. Web hosting market.
Based on the collar and Exodus’ closing stock price of $53.25 on September
27, 2000, the current value of the transaction is approximately $6.1
billion. Read analysis of this deal in Tom Taulli’s
Morning Report.




 

 FirePond (FIRE) acquires Signature
Software

  
* 
Amount:        
Undisclosed

  
* 
Terms:           
n/a

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:        Performance
software

  
* 
Scorecard:      B

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 28–FirePond , a
global provider of integrated e-business solutions for multi-channel
selling, announced its acquisition of Signature Software, a training
and consulting firm specializing in the architecture, design and
construction of distributed enterprise applications. Through the
acquisition, FirePond gains the
expertise of Signature
Software’s training and implementation personnel to meet partner and
customer demand for FirePond’s analyst-acclaimed technology. Terms of the
deal are not disclosed.




 

 chinadotcom (CHINA) acquires Venex
Corporation

  
* 
Amount:        
Undisclosed

  
* 
Terms:           
n/a

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:       
Content/Communities

p;

  
* 
Scorecard:      B

HONG KONG, Sept. 28–chinadotcom , a
pan-Asian integrated Internet company, announced the acquisition of
Venex Corporation, an e-business integrator in Japan. The Venex transaction is the second
Japan-focused acquisition by chinadotcom’s subsidiary, Web
Connection, this year. This transaction reinforces Web Connection as a
leading provider in the Asia Pacific region of e-business strategies and
solutions and helps extend its growing wireless practice. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.




 

 Cisco Systems (CSCO) to acquire Vovida Networks,
IPCell Technologies

  
* 
Amount:         $369
million

  
* 
Terms:           
100% stock

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:       
Speed/Bandwidth

  
* 
Scorecard:      A-

SAN JOSE, Sept. 28–Cisco Systems
announced it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire privately
held Vovida Networks of San Jose, California, and privately held
IPCell Technologies, based in Richardson, Texas. Vovida Networks is a communications
software provider and supplier of networking protocols, while IPCell Technologies is a provider of
software for broadband access networks combining Internet Protocol (IP) and
telephony service

s. The acquisitions provide Cisco with technologies that will help its
partners and customers provide new data, voice and video services and
support Cisco’s vision of a single, IP-based communications network. Cisco
common stock worth a gross aggregate value of approximately $369 million
will be exchanged for all outstanding shares and options both companies
combined.




 

 Penton Media (PME) acquires Streaming
Media

  
* 
Amount:         $65
million

  
* 
Terms:           
n/a

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:       
Content/Communities

  
* 
Scorecard:      B+

CLEVELAND, Sept. 28–Penton Media announced
it has completed the acquisition of Streaming Media of San
Francisco, an integrated media company serving the streaming media market
that produces the Streaming Media East, Streaming Media West and Streaming
Media Europe trade shows, as well as the streamingmedia.com Web site and
Streaming Media Magazine. The purchase price was $65 million, plus
contingent consideration of up to $35 million based on the achievement of
specified business targets in 2001.




 

 LookSmart (LOOK) acquires Zeal Media

  
* 
Amount:  &n

bsp;      $20
million

  
* 
Terms:           
1.4 million shares

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:       
Search/Portals

  
* 
Scorecard:      C+

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28–LookSmart , a
global leader in Web directories, announced the acquisition of Zeal
Media, a provider of community directory technology. Zeal’s technology allows active members
(“Zealots”) to submit and publish categorized descriptions of Web sites.
The acquisition extends LookSmart’s
leadership in Web directories, creating the first integration of
professional editorial, proprietary technologies and community involvement.
Under the terms of the agreement, approximately 1.4 million shares of
LookSmart common stock will be exchanged for all outstanding shares,
options and warrants of Zeal, valued at approximately $20 million.




 

 GourmetMarket.com to acquire
VirtualGourmet.com

  
* 
Amount:        
Undisclosed

  
* 
Terms:           
n/a

  
* 
Premium:        n/a

  
* 
Industry:        E-tailers

  
* 
Scorecard:      C-

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28–GourmetMarket.com , a portfolio company of iiGroup ,
announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire
VirtualGourmet.com, a Web site founded with a mission to provide
high quality gourmet food and customer service on the Web. The combined
strength of VirtualGourmet.com
and GourmetMarket.com is
expected to enable the company to provide the most extensive gourmet food
offering throughout the online marketplace.