Cisco targets energy efficiency with new offerings

Cisco's Network Building Mediator keeps track of energy used in heating, security and lighting

Cisco has unveiled a new line of products designed to help companies manage energy costs stemming from infrastructure and building management.

Network Building Mediator lets building managers keep track of the energy used in heating and cooling, security and lighting.

The new system is part of Cisco's Smart Connected Buildings programme, a subset of the company's Smart+Connected Communities campaign. Cisco wants to gain leverage in the energy management market for large urban areas.

Cisco is hoping that the new systems will benefit from its earlier efforts in managing IT networks. The new devices are a combination of technology from Cisco's own networking systems, and those of building management middleware firm Richards-Zeta, a company Cisco acquired in January.

Cisco plans to offer the Network Building Mediator system in two configurations, starting at $4,995 (£3,050).

"Our aim is to create a new set of systems and solutions that take the network and extend the power of the platform to deliver sustainable energy management from IT and commercial buildings all the way through to smart grids and the home," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president of Cisco's emerging technologies group.

Cisco also hinted that it may be moving into another new market. Doug Dennerline, the firm's web services vice president, said on Tuesday that Cisco is "certainly thinking about" adding online document features to its WebEx service.

Such an expansion could put WebEx into direct competition with online office suites such as Google Apps, Zoho and Microsoft online Office services.