Cisco highlights cloud, green with new members on board of directors

2 Aug 2012

Software company Salesforce.com’s CEO Marc Benioff and former under-secretary of energy at the U.S. Department of Energy Kristina Johnson have joined computer-networking equipment maker Cisco’s board of directors, pushing the number of its members to 14.

The new appointments were effective as of 1 August.

The addition of Benioff and Johnson could signify just where Cisco is heading, as reported by ZDNet.

Cisco just wrapped up its US$5bn acquisition of NDS Group Ltd, which gives Cisco a better grip on cloud and videoconferencing, and Salesforce.com is all about cloud.

“Marc has changed the face of technology through his bold ideas around cloud computing and the social enterprise,” Cisco chief executive John Chambers said in a statement.

“Kristina brings us an unmatched expertise in science and technology, which will help guide Cisco as we continue to innovate and transform our customers’ experiences.”

Johnson left her position in the Obama administration after one year to lead green energy company Enduring Hydro.

Her experience could well tie into cloud, as the cloud runs on data centres, many of which could be operating in a more environmentally friendly fashion.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

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