Cisco: Microsoft’s ‘Windows first’ strategy out of touch with rise of Android, Apple

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer and Cisco's John Chambers.

On the eve of Microsoft’s first-ever Lync Conference, Cisco today launched a campaign questioning Microsoft’s strategy of making its communication and collaboration products work “first and best” on Windows. Cisco, which makes the WebEx collaboration and conferencing service, cites the rise of Android and Apple devices as evidence that Microsoft’s approach is increasingly out of… Read More…

Parallels nabs cash from Cisco to bolster cloud efforts

parallels

Parallels announced today that it has received an investment of undisclosed size from Cisco, money that the Renton-based company will use to bolster its cloud services efforts. As part of the deal, Cisco and Parallels also agreed to expand their joint marketing efforts. More than 9,000 service providers already rely on Parallels to deliver applications… Read More…

Tech Moves: Optify hires Doug Wheeler; Starbucks vet joins Auction Edge; and more

Doug Wheeler

Optify, a Seattle startup specializing in marketing software, has named 25-year- marketing vet Doug Wheeler to the position of chief marketing officer. Wheeler most recently worked at TappIn, which was acquired last year for up to $17 million by GlobalScape. Wheeler previously held executive roles at DocuSign, Citrix and Compaq. “Optify and its inbound marketing… Read More…

Tech Moves: Microsoft hires Cisco vet; Promotions at thePlatform; etc.

ipsen-laura

Microsoft has named Laura Ipsen as corporate vice president of Worldwide Public Sector. In the role, Ipsen will lead sales and marketing overseeing the government, public safety, national security, education and healthcare industries. Ipsen most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of connected energy networks at Cisco Systems, and before that she established the… Read More…

Meet the new ‘four horsemen’ of tech: Sorry, Microsoft, Dell, Cisco and Intel

fourhorsemen2

Oh, how the technology landscape has changed.  Ten years ago, the industry was dominated by names such as Microsoft, Intel, Dell and Cisco. And while those companies certainly haven’t gone away, there’s a new breed that’s making its mark. Fast forward to 2012, and the makeup looks quite different. CNN recently surveyed 30 technology experts… Read More…