Cisco Systems Inc. has acquired cloud communications platform provider Tropo Inc.

Founded in 2009, Tropo offers a cloud based API platform that makes it simple to add phone and SMS applications into existing website and applications.

Although smaller than its main competitor Twilio Inc., the platform is said to have over 200,000 developers and although an exact number was not specified, Tropo claims to power “thousands” of mobile and voice applications.

The company makes its money through charging for calls made using its platform-as-a-service (PaaS,) with services free during development, then charged at a reasonable rate during production. Enterprise rates are offered on a per company basis; some existing telco and enterprise partners include Deutsche Telekom AG, IBM Corp., and the Ericsson AB owned Apcera.

In a post on the Cisco blog, Cisco’s Head of Corporate Development Hilton Romanski wrote that the acquisition would allow Cisco customers and developers to create and sell new communications services with minimal development effort.

“Tropo’s robust APIs and its 200K+-strong developer network gives Cisco the ability to extend the power of its collaboration technologies to third-party applications and end-points” he added before nothing that in particular the buy will benefit Service Providers, Global Enterprises and the Developer Community.

“Tropo’s technology will enable developers to build applications that integrate into the Service Provider’s existing communications infrastructure, providing the Service Provider with an advantage over OTT competitors and ways to generate new sources of revenue.”

Johnny Diggz from Tropo added separately why they are excited to be working with Cisco.

“From Enterprise to Service Providers, Cisco is hands down the most well-respected brand in voice and video; and with their recent introduction of Spark, they are gearing up to put ultra high-quality video and collaboration tools into the pockets of every remote team, classroom, space station and home office. If we slap an API on even half this stuff you’re all in for a serious treat!”

Following the acquisition Tropo’s team will join Cisco’s Collaboration Technology Group under the leadership of Rowan Trollope.

The acquisition is set to be complete by the end of July 2015. Financial terms are not disclosed.

photo credit: Tropo USB Key via photopin (license)