The TANDBERG sales and channels organization will become a specialist sales team within Cisco after the share offer closes soon. The companies anticipate regulatory approval in the first half of calendar year 2010.

They say that "competition and industry expansion is best fostered through open standards and interoperability." Following the close, Cisco will create "an open architecture that provides greater interoperability with TANDBERG and third-party systems". This integrated architecture will extend features such as One Button to Push and Continuous Presence, as well as integration with leading unified communications platforms.

The companies have reiterated previously announced plans to form a Cisco TelePresence Technology Group that will retain and build on product lines from both companies once the transaction closes. The TelePresence Technology Group's integrated portfolio will consist of the following product groups:

Immersive TelePresence: The flagship Cisco TelePresence System 3000 series, including the Cisco TelePresence System 3000/3010 and Cisco TelePresence System 3200/3210, will continue to serve as the optimized experience for scalable deployments. The TANDBERG Total TelePresence Solution, including the T3 and T1, will serve as the adaptive experience for a range of solutions including customized deployments. Shortly after completion of the acquisition, Cisco will deliver high-definition, immersive, multiscreen interoperability between these systems and other multiscreen systems.

Personal Systems: The strong portfolio of TANDBERG personal systems will remain, as will the Cisco TelePresence System 1100 and Cisco TelePresence System 500. The unified set of products will meet the needs of individuals in the office, at home, and on the go.

Infrastructure: Both companies' entire line of infrastructure products will continue to be available to integrators and customers. This includes, for example, the Codian Multipoint Control Units (MCUs). The joint infrastructure portfolio will form the basis of the Cisco TelePresence architecture, will provide improved interoperability, and will enable intercompany services and integration with Cisco's and other companies' digital media and collaboration solutions.