Cisco to Buy Precept Software for $84 Million

Cisco Systems Inc. said it agreed to buy Precept Software Inc., whose products distribute video through computer networks, for $84 million in stock. The acquisition will help Cisco, the world’s biggest maker of computer-networking gear, gain more expertise in sending video and voice conversations between computers, the company said. It is Cisco’s second acquisition in two days. On Tuesday, it said it agreed to buy networking equipment vendor NetSpeed for $236 million. Cisco said it plans to include Palo Alto-based Precept’s technology in its networking products geared toward big corporations and phone companies. It will continue to sell Precept’s IP/TV product separately. Shares of San Jose-based Cisco rose $1.25 to close at $62.63 on Nasdaq.