Zhang Chen spent two hours reading half of the technical documents, and finally determined that this Cerent should have been acquired by Cisco in his previous life, otherwise the two products would not be so similar.

The reason why Cisco became a giant company with a market value of $500 billion at the peak of the dot-com bubble was because of its monopoly in the entire routing gateway field. At its peak, Cisco had more than 80 percent of the market share and had no rivals at all.

Of course, Cisco's first-mover advantage plays a role in this, but with financial resources, buying a large number of patents from other companies and acquiring potential competitors is the decisive factor for Cisco to maintain its hegemony for many years.

Even Warwick has survived in the shadow of Cisco for many years. It wasn't until after 2010, with the weakening of Cisco in Asia, Africa and Latin America, that Huawei raised its eyebrows and picked out Cisco in some market segments.

And Cisco 15454 has made great contributions in the process of maintaining Cisco's hegemony. This product was not until 07 years later, Zhang Chen also saw that some companies were buying and using it. With a product life cycle of more than 10 years, it is rare in this industry where technology updates are measured in months, which shows that its design is forward-looking.

If Starcom could include this team, Cisco might still be the boss, but if you want to live so comfortably, it may not be.

Moreover, it can also lay the foundation for Starcom's future transformation.

Previously, under the influence of Zhang Chen, Starcom had set a two-legged strategy of "PHS" + "network equipment". However, in terms of network equipment, Starcom still needs to do a lot of technology accumulation, and it is better to acquire the right company to quickly complete the stage of technology accumulation and achieve revenue as soon as possible.

PHS will definitely be profitable, but I'm afraid that only PHS will be profitable, and then the whole company will be kidnapped by such a technology with no potential, everyone knows to transform, but it just can't be turned.

The same is true in history, and some people in later generations often criticize Starcom for blindly indulging in PHS and not transforming early. In fact, as early as the beginning of 2000, when PHS had not yet blossomed everywhere, Starcom was aware of this problem and made continuous investment in 3G technology.

However, because the PHS department accounts for more than 90% of the group's overall receivables, and Starcom is a listed company, for the sake of performance, it can only be at both ends of the mouse between innovation and maintenance. In the end, the big gamble on 3G failed, the last savings were spent, and the entire company completely fell from the clouds.

From stepping into the top to breaking down the clouds, it is only two or three years.

Therefore, the network equipment strategy must be successful, and it must be profitable as soon as possible, and the profit proportion cannot be less than 50% of the overall revenue, otherwise the business operation risk is too great.

Now it seems that Cerrent is the most suitable acquisition target. Cheryl Sandberg also reported just now that these founders don't seem to have too much interest in making the company bigger, but the intention of making a fortune and leaving is somewhat obvious, so that Starcom may not be able to pocket the company for two or three million dollars.

Around CERENT454, a series of products can be developed, and Starcom's product line will be greatly enriched.

The title of infrastructure madness is not false.

Zhang Chen has decided that if Wu Ying and Lu Hongliang do not agree to the acquisition, he will use the rights of major shareholders to forcibly buy Cerent.

"Huh, you haven't left yet?" Zhang Chen walked out of the office, looked at the empty office, and just wanted to turn off the lights, but found that Cheryl Sandberg was still in the company.

Cheryl Sandberg laughed, "No, I'm waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up." ”

Zhang Chen was surprised: "Boyfriend, I just got married, I haven't heard you mention it, how are people?"

Cheryl Sandberg looked intoxicated with the sweetness of love: "It's okay, it's the CFO of an Internet company, I just met for a short time, and I haven't told anyone yet." ”

Zhang Chen gossiped: "What about other than these?"

Cheryl Sandberg tilted her head, "What to say, he's very... Charming. ”

Zhang Chen swept Cheryl Sandberg's bumpy body and innocent face, and secretly thought that this kid was quite blessed, but said: "Congratulations, but this congratulations is not for you, but for him, it is his honor to associate with a charming woman like you." ”

"I think so too. A thick male voice came from the door, Zhang Chen turned his head to see that a middle-aged man with a height of at least one meter and eighty-five appeared at the door of the Tinder Source office.

"Paul!" Cheryl Sandberg smiled, "Zack, he's my boyfriend Paul, Paul, this is my boss Zack." ”

"Paul Stevenson. The man named Paul smiled warmly and stretched out his right hand, "It's an honor to meet the youngest entrepreneurial genius in Silicon Valley." ”

Very common name.

Zhang Chen looked Paul Stevenson up and down, no wonder Cheryl Sandberg was so obsessed with this man, just from the appearance, at first glance, it looked a little ordinary, and there was nothing outstanding about his facial features. But on closer inspection, Paul Stevenson gives people a surprising harmony, throwing it into the crowd may not be the most conspicuous one, but it feels very comfortable to look at it twice.

It should be because of the eyes, Paul Stevenson's eyes are very deep, and the pale gray pupils give people a mysterious feeling, which makes people can't help but find out.

"You're welcome, it's nice to meet you too. I'm Zack, and I heard Cheryl say, Mr. Stevenson is also a Silicon Valley executive?" Zhang Chen also stretched out his hand and shook Stevenson's hand, which felt very warm.

Stevenson smiled, "Just call me Paul, it's just a small company, and all the employees in the company are executives." ”

Zhang Chen smiled: "All big companies start from small companies, I still have something to do, let's go first, you talk slowly." ”

Cheryl hurriedly packed up her things and hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, let's go too, let's go down together." ”

The three of them waved goodbye in the parking lot, and Stevenson retracted his gaze at Zhang Chen's F550, and said casually: "I really don't know, it turns out that your boss is Zack." ”

Cheryl Sandberg grinned, "You didn't ask either." ”

Stevenson smiled, "It's my fault, but if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would have been hard to believe that he was so young." ”

Cheryl Sandberg nodded sympathetically: "I didn't think of him before I met him. However, Zack, despite his youth, is the best investor I've ever met, and he's a legend. ”

Stevenson's eyes flashed: "Yes, his experience is now well known in Silicon Valley, and it is very legendary." Just now, I looked like there were only two of you left in the company, is there anything important?"

Cheryl Sandberg was worried that her boyfriend would be jealous, so she hurriedly said, "No, no, didn't you say to pick me up, I'll wait for you at the company." Zack stayed a little longer because he was temporarily interested in a project. ”

Stevenson casually asked, "What project?"

Cheryl Sandberg did not doubt him, and just wanted to answer, but only said "Yes... "I'm sorry, Paul, I can't say too much about the project." ”

Stevenson said casually, "Don't be sorry, I'm just worried about you." ”

Cheryl Sandberg grinned, "Worried about my empathy, don't worry, no, I don't like boys younger than me, although he is also very attractive, he is much younger than me." Moreover, Zack already has a girlfriend and is in a good relationship. ”

Stevenson held the steering wheel with one hand and Cheryl's hand with the other: "Honey, aren't you afraid that your boyfriend will be sad if you praise other men in front of your boyfriend?"

Cheryl Sandberg gave Paul Stevenson a nud peck on the face: "Hee-hee, honey, you look so cute when you're jealous." ”

(End of chapter)