Cisco Systems, Inc. is the world leader in networking solutions market for the Internet. Cisco software and hardware solutions are used to connect computers and computer networks to provide users with easy access to information regardless of time, place or type of computer system of the parties involved in the connection. With Cisco networking solutions, users benefit from the more efficient communication they provide, which in turn leads to cost savings, more efficient operations, and, as a result, stronger relationships with customers, business partners, suppliers, and employees. Cisco solutions are the networking foundation of companies, major universities, service industries, and government organizations around the world. Cisco Systems, founded by a small group of scientists at Stanford University, introduced its first product in 1986.

The company’s shares went public in February 1990. Since then, the company has brought good returns to its investors. Cisco supplies more than 80% of the routers that are the backbone of the Internet. Today the company is the main provider of computer infrastructure for business. Cisco networking solutions power the interconnected networks of thousands of companies, universities, government organizations, and agencies around the world. During its existence, Cisco has grown into a multinational corporation with more than 200 offices in 54 countries and a staff of more than 12,000 people. The firm is the third largest on the NASDAQ and is among the top 40 companies in the world by market capitalization. Cisco Systems’ acquisitions of Precept Software , NetSpeed, WheelGroup, LightSpeed International, and others, as well as a strong networking leadership record, make Cisco a premier WAN switching technology provider.

Today, the Cisco Systems company develops its business in three main areas: - Solutions for corporate networks: cooperation with large organizations that make serious demands on complex networks, and, given the volume of information flow, using different types of computer networks. This group of clients includes large government agencies, corporations, educational structures.

- Solutions for service providers: cooperation with companies that provide information services including telecommunications systems. It is this business model that Cisco operates in the Internet services market. The firm’s product offerings include a wide variety of tools: routers, LAN and external network switches, remote and other access solutions, SNA-LAN integration solutions, Web site management tools, Internet applications, and network management software.

- Solutions for small and medium businesses: this line includes services offered by Cisco Systems for companies that need their own network databases as well as an Internet connection but do not have permanent departments providing such services. Cisco is also the market leader in consumer services for network design, implementation, and support.