Cisco acquires Accompany – a business intelligence startup

Cisco has acquired an artificial intelligence company called Accompany for $270 million. Accompany uses AI to build large databases of people and relationships at companies. In the words of Accompany’s founder and CEO Amy Chang, the technology designed by Accompany is like a digital chief of staff or a personal assistant.

The technology basically gives the executives the contexts and relationships before they head out to make conversations and meetings. Cisco intends to imbibe the Accompany technology into its IT services and collaboration products. For instance, Cisco may introduce company and individual profiles into Webex meetings.

New Beginnings

In an announcement, Chuck Robbins, the chairman and CEO of Cisco said, “Amy has proven to be an effective and innovative leader through her years as an entrepreneur, an engineer, and CEO, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have her and the Accompany team join Cisco.”

Amy Chang was earlier employed by Google as the head of product for ad measurement and reporting. Additionally, she had also been on Cisco’s board of directors since October 2016. However, once the acquisition deal closed, Chang will be stepping down from the board with immediate effect. Also, Chang will take over the position of Cisco’s Collaboration Technology Group.