Polycom taken private?

So, finally, something interesting.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/99867380-3157-11df-9741-00144feabdc0.html

When I hear about buyouts like the above, I start to think about what one could do. Certainly, Apax could do some bundling with either companies it has investments in like Smart Technologies:

http://www.apax.com/en/investments/smart-technologies-inc.html

or, it could be the start of more purchases by Apax. Potentially, they'll look at a data company, a voice company. Maybe an Audiocodes, Broadsoft, or other switch providers.

Or...Apax could notice what I've mentioned to many, which is that PLCM has some unlocked value. Split off voice and sell it to a hardware manufacturer that can apply some scale and unlock extra margin. Or to switch only provider that would like to have their own phones. Take the patents and put them into a Patent troll company and go out and make some money just on royalties. Or... one thing I've said to many parties is become an OEM only manufacturer. And make products for others to put their name on. Why do I say that? Because.. PLCM has been a terrible sales company and a terrible marketer of technology and also has been short sighted on strategic goals....but they have been a good innovator and have had fairly good r&d.

Lots of potential here to be unlocked..which ever way it flies.

Sorry about my disappearance

Just nothing good lately to say... and no juicy rumors!

Cisco

Ok, this is just way to funny for to pass up (and will be one of very few posts about 3com & hp)

"Cisco has apparently put out an internal memo announcing that Cisco is dumping HP as a certified partner. Cisco plans to notify HP that it will not renew its partner contract which expires in April. "

http://siliconangle.com/blog/2010/02/18/bang-bang-cisco-dumps-hp-as-certified-partner-hp-returns-fire-with-deal-with-qlogic/

All I have to say is...what did Cisco really think was going to happen when they announced they were going to get in the server market?  duh!

Cisco roadmap for Tandberg

I'm looking forward to seeing how this will all play out as the merger completes:

http://www.crn.com/networking/222700495;jsessionid=URKTXISE02HZ1QE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN

RVSN and Aethra

Sorry for the lapse in posts..I'm quite busy in my new job and very little time to post...but I saw this one today and I had to post it:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/radvision-to-acquire-selected-assets-of-aethra-2010-02-03?siteid=nbkh


On first glance, it makes sense.  Aethra currently oem's RVSN mcus.   RVSN is close to losing big OEM partners:  LS and CSCO.  (both should stop this year)  


Doing the deal is probably pretty good for both companies as it blends together and creates an end to end company. And, as well, since Aethra already knows how to sell RVSN, its pretty easy.  They are relatively close to each other:  Italy & Israel.  


The only issue is that the new combined company needs badly to put together a credible sales force.  They don't have the number of bodies that are needed to make it work.  

Skype & LifeSize

If you were at CES, you might have seen:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/111110-skype-lifesize.html

This, of course, is very interesting as Skype and other like it could totally commoditize  address-book services and call control.  Honestly, its not that much of a loss to manufacturers and its a gigantic gain for not only customers, but also the whole industry.  While...Polycom might sell less CMA or Tandberg less VCS, in the long run they will both sell more endpoints as getting a endpoint hooked up and dialing someone will help considerably with wider spread adoption.   Something the industry should have pushed 6-7 years ago.

Notes of interest

James Altucher (not familiar with who he is) predicts that Dell could Polycom:


http://www.benzinga.com/general/80962/a-peek-into-the-takeover-market-in-2010-msft-goog-bbbb-orcl-vrsn-aol-java-dell-plcm

OMG....If Dell is smart...they wont go near this one.  Lifesize would have made sense..but not PLCM.  From an operational standpoint, I have to believe that would be an ugly merger.

But...one interesting tidbit I saw today was:

http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112660&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NjY4OTE0NSZhdHRhY2g9T04mc1hCUkw9MQ%3d%3d

If you want to skip the read, it says that Blackrock now owns 14+% of the outstanding shares of Polycom.
So, what does that mean?  Does that mean that Blackrock is think of a PE deal to take PLCM private and then do something with them?  Or, are they just hedging their bets that they believe PLCM will be bought by someone and they'll make a big pay day?  Or?

Interesting...