Cisco Systems Incorporated is the worldwide leader in computer networking and communications devices, consistently capturing over two-thirds of this multi-billion dollar market. They currently sell over 150 various networking products and are the only company to provide end-to-end business solutions including: network software, design, installation, technical support, maintenance and management. Spurred by the expansion of the Internet, Cisco reached a $500 billion dollar market capitalization quicker than any other U.S. company and is the fastest growing company in the history of the computer industry. They now have over 35,000 employees working in 225 offices around the world and headquarters in San Jose, CA. This success is largely credited to John Chambers, CEO since 1995, making him one of the most admired corporate leaders in the world.
             Cisco was founded in 1984 by a group of computer scientists at Stanford University and shipped its first product, the AGS router, in 1986. Cisco's unique routers allowed interaction between all types of computers, no matter what brand. Fortune 1000 corporations found this ability incredibly useful and Cisco quickly became the leader in the networking market, crushing previous sector heavyweights Cabletron and Bay.
             In 1992 Cisco successfully entered the global market with the introduction of Nihon Cisco in Japan. However, a new technology called "switches" caught Cisco off guard just one year later. These machines performed many of the same functions as routers and were far less expensive. Cisco responded by simply buying the companies that owned this technology, including: Calpana, Viola, and Cresedo for a reported $293 million. Cisco continues this strategy for gaining new technology and products today as the number of acquired companies grows beyond 70.
             Cisco became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ in 1990 with a price of $18 per share, $69 mil
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