Cisco Finally Closes Tandberg Deal

When a company (Cisco, for example) makes an offer to acquire another company (like Tandberg), the announcement itself is treated as, and perceived by many, as a done deal. The Cisco / Tandberg deal is a perfect illustration of just how false that perception is.

Offers have to meet with shareholder and regulatory approval. In the case of Tandberg, many shareholders balked at Cisco’s initial offer. Cisco announced its intent to purchase Tandberg for about $3 billion on October 1. After two months of negotiations and speculation that the deal may fall through, Cisco eventually succeeded in acquiring Tandberg for closer to $3.4 billion. 

Now that the deal is done, Cisco can get back to business. Its only serious competitor is Polycom, but Logitech recently threw down the gauntlet and jumped in the ring with its purchase of Lifesize Communications, as well.