Cisco Systems Inc., a San Jose-based developer of Internet protocol (IP)-based networking technologies, announced Friday a definitive agreement to acquire Tivella Inc., a private provider of digital signage software and systems based in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Terms were not disclosed. "We feel there is enormous potential for digital signage to be integrated into our existing enterprise streaming and live video broadcasting platform," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president of Cisco's Emerging Market Technologies Group. "This will allow Cisco to provide live video, video-on-demand and other rich media content to desktops and digital signage displays using IP for applications such as targeted communications, advertising and training." The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2007. Tivella was founded 2001 and has 10 employees based primarily in Milpitas, with corporate offices in Half Moon Bay. After the closing, the Tivella team and product portfolio will be integrated into Cisco's Emerging Markets Technology Group For more information, visit: www.cisco.com