お客様を第一に考え続けるSplunkとシスコ

このブログは、シスコの会長兼CEOであるChuck Robbins氏との共同執筆によるものです。

シスコによるSplunkの合併買収の同意が発表されて以来、たくさんのことがありました。両社はそれぞれ、お客様のもとを訪ね、進化するテクノロジー環境に先手を打って重要な成果を達成するために、私たちにどのような協力ができるかについて話し合っています。

この面談のたびにお客様に尋ねられるのが、「今回の合併が顧客にもたらすメリットは何か？」という点です。 

私たちのもとには、世界中の組織から、デジタルシステムのレジリエンスがかつてないほど重要になっているという声が届いています。AIの進化、脅威の深刻化、ハイブリッド/マルチクラウド環境の拡大が急速に進む中で、システムのセキュリティと可用性を維持することがますます難しくなり、データのアクセス、分析、活用のスピード向上がこれまで以上に求められています。 

シスコとSplunkはどちらも、この合併を糧に、データとAIの力をさらに引き出し、今日そして将来にわたってお客様に卓越した成果を提供できると信じています。幸い、両社はその飛躍を支える強固な基盤をすでに持っています。

過去10年以上にわたって、シスコとSplunkはパートナーを組み、ハイパーコネクテッドな現代社会での課題に取り組む何千もの組織を支援してきました。両社が提供する相補的な機能は、高度に複雑化したテクノロジースタック全体を包括的に可視化して、問題の検出と修正を迅速化することで、組織の保護に貢献してきました。次のステップは、両社が協力して、世界中の組織に革新的なイノベーションをもたらすことです。

セキュリティとオブザーバビリティの双方でイノベーションを加速

Splunkとシスコはそれぞれ、変化の激しいテクノロジー環境に後れを取ることなく速いペースでイノベーションを続けています。過去12カ月間で、シスコは、Cisco Networking Cloud、Cisco Extended Detection and Response (XDR)、Cisco Secure Access (SSE)、Cisco Multicloud Defense、Cisco Full-Stack Observabilityプラットフォーム、AIワークロード向け通信チップ「G200」および「G202」を次々に市場に投入するとともに、同社のコラボレーション、セキュリティ、オブザーバビリティポートフォリオ全体にAIアシスタントとAI機能を組み込みました。 

Splunkも、AIを活用したセキュリティおよびオブザーバビリティ製品ポートフォリオにおいてイノベーションを加速させています。たとえばセキュリティ製品では、Splunkのお客様およびパートナー向け恒例イベント、.conf23において、数々の受賞歴を誇るSplunk Enterprise SecurityとSplunk SOAR向けの複数の新機能を紹介したほか、昨年買収したTwinWave社の製品機能をSplunkの統合的なセキュリティ運用エクスペリエンスに組み込んだSplunk Attack Analyzerの一般提供を発表しました。

Splunkとシスコのテクノロジーの融合は、今日のSOC (セキュリティオペレーションセンター)が必要とする最先端のセキュリティソリューションの進化を加速させるでしょう。SplunkのSIEMソリューションとシスコの強力なXDRソリューションが機能を相互に補完して、巧妙化する脅威と最前線で戦うセキュリティチームにどれだけの価値をもたらすか、非常に楽しみです。また、Splunkのオブザーバビリティポートフォリオおよびログ収集/ITインフラ監視ソリューションとシスコのオブザーバビリティプラットフォームおよびAppDynamics APMポートフォリオが相乗効果を生み、組織の信頼性とパフォーマンスを大幅に向上させる素晴らしい機会を提供することにも期待しています。

合併による移行期においても、両社は引き続きお客様に寄り添い、お客様が望むスピードでイノベーションを推進できるようご支援します。私たちはこの合併を、両社の技術力を合わせることで、より幅広く層の厚い卓越したソリューションを提供し、お客様のテクノロジースタック全体の可視性、セキュリティ、信頼性をさらに向上させるチャンスと捉えています。この協力関係は、セキュリティとオブザーバビリティの双方でイノベーションを加速し、お客様に比類ない価値を提供し続けるための、極めて有意義な投資にほかなりません。

世界展開の拡大とパートナーシップの強化

シスコはグローバルで非常に大規模なビジネス網を有しており、シスコとSplunkのリソースやインフラを合わせて活用すれば、レジリエンスの向上を後押しする幅広い製品とサービスを世界のより多くの組織に届けることができるでしょう。

その一例が、強力なテクノロジーを世界のより多くのお客様に届けるために重要な役割を果たしている、シスコのパートナーエコシステムです。今後も、パートナーシップをさらに強化し、将来のお客様が最大限の価値を得られるようお手伝いする有益な機会を開拓していきたいと思います。

シスコは、グローバルパートナーエコシステムを非常に重視し、27年以上前からパートナー主導のモデルを構築しています。世界の数千にのぼるパートナーが、ソリューションの販売をサポートして、複雑なプロセスを合理化し、お客様に寄り添いながらお客様が必要とするテクノロジーをもって重要なビジネス価値を提供しています。 

そこに加わるSplunkのパートナーエコシステムでは、2,600以上の組織が、AIを活用したSplunkのセキュリティおよびオブザーバビリティ製品の価値を最大限に引き出せるようお客様を全力で支援しています。このエコシステムが協調して、世界中のお客様に、レジリエンス向上のための適切な専門知識と戦略的パートナーシップを適時に提供していきます。

共に歩むジャーニーの次のステップ

シスコとSplunkはこれからも、私たちが最も大切にしていること、すなわち、革新的な製品とソリューションを提供してお客様のテクノロジー活用と成果実現を支援することに全力を注いでいきます。とはいえ、シスコとSplunkの共同体としての将来計画はまだ始まったばかりです。2024年第3四半期末までに予定されている手続き完了まで、シスコとSplunkはそれぞれ独立した企業として運営を続けます。 

その間も、お客様との関係を途切れることなく維持していく考えです。シスコとSplunkのどちらも、提供するサービスに急な変更はなく、お客様のサポート体制も変わりません。 

最後に、今日のSplunkとシスコがあるのはお客様からの厚い信頼のおかげであることを私たちは改めて実感しています。お客様が私たちを業界トップレベルの地位に押し上げ、パートナーとして変わらぬ信頼を寄せてくださることに大変感謝しております。シスコとSplunkの将来、そして何よりもお客様の将来は、輝かしいものになると信じています。シスコとSplunkは共に、あらゆるものを安全につなぎながら、より安全でレジリエンスが強化されたデジタル世界を作ることを目指して、さらなる可能性を切り開いていきます。

^{出典：* IDC社Market Perspective、「Cisco Stakes Its Claim in XDR」、文書番号US50210823、2023年7月}

Splunk Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This blog contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on Splunk’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the expected date of closing of the proposed transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by Splunk and Cisco, all of which are subject to change. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “could,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “may,” “would,” “might,” “potentially,” “estimate,” “continue,” “expect,” “target,” similar expressions or the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. All forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and are not guarantees of future results, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. These and other forward-looking statements, including the failure to consummate the proposed transaction or to make or take any filing or other action required to consummate the transaction on a timely matter or at all, are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) the completion of the proposed transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining shareholder and regulatory approvals, anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of Splunk’s business and other conditions to the completion of the transaction; (ii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Splunk’s business and general economic conditions; (iii) Splunk’s ability to implement its business strategy; (iv) significant transaction costs associated with the proposed transaction; (v) potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction; (vi) the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm Splunk’s business, including current plans and operations; (vii) the ability of Splunk to retain and hire key personnel; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (ix) legislative, regulatory and economic developments affecting Splunk’s business; (x) general economic and market developments and conditions; (xi) the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes under which Splunk operates; (xii) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the merger that could affect Splunk’s financial performance; (xiii) restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact Splunk’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; and (xiv) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities, as well as Splunk’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed in the definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2023 in connection with the proposed transaction. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors presented in the proxy statement is, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Splunk’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Splunk does not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Cisco Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This blog may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “strives,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “endeavors,” “continues,” “projects,” “seeks,” or “targets,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions) should be considered to be forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.  Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are the management’s beliefs and assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain, and outside of the management’s control.  Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the expected benefits to Cisco, Splunk and their respective customers from completing the transaction, the integration of Splunk’s and Cisco’s complementary capabilities to create an end-to-end platform designed to unlock greater digital resilience for customers, plans for future investment and capital allocation, the expected financial performance of Cisco following the expected completion of the transaction, and the expected completion of the transaction.  Statements regarding future events are based on the parties’ current expectations, estimates and projections and are necessarily subject to associated risks related to, among other things, (i) the completion of the proposed transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining stockholder and regulatory approvals and other conditions to the completion of the transaction, (ii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on Splunk’s business, operating results, and relationships with customers, suppliers, competitors and others, (iii) risks that the proposed transaction may disrupt Splunk’s current plans and business operations, (iv) risks related to the diverting of management’s attention from Splunk’s ongoing business operations, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement, (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction, (vii) the potential effects on the accounting of the proposed transaction, (viii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments, (ix) general economic conditions, (x) restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact Splunk’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions, (xi) the retention of key personnel, and (xii) the ability of Cisco to successfully integrate Splunk’s market opportunities, technology, personnel and operations and to achieve expected benefits. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in any forward-looking statements. For information regarding other related risks, see the “Risk Factors” section of Cisco’s most recent report on Form 10-K filed on September 7, 2023, the “Risk Factors” section of Splunk’s most recent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 24, 2023 and March 23, 2023, respectively, and risks described in the definitive proxy statement relating to the transaction filed with the SEC by Splunk on October 30, 2023. The parties undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law. 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction and required stockholder approval, Splunk filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement on October 30, 2023. The proxy statement has been mailed to the stockholders of Splunk. This document is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document which Splunk may file with the SEC. Splunk’s stockholders are urged to carefully read the proxy statement (including all amendments, supplements and any documents incorporated by reference therein) and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC and in their entirety because they contain important information about the proposed transaction and the parties to the transaction. Investors may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Splunk by going to Splunk’s Investor Relations page on its corporate website at https://investors.splunk.com or by contacting Splunk Investor Relations at ir@splunk.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

Splunk and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk’s stockholders with respect to the transaction. Information about Splunk’s directors and executive officers, including their ownership of Splunk securities, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement related to the transaction, which was filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023, proxy statement for Splunk’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 9, 2023, Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 21, 2023, and Splunk’s other filings with the SEC. Investors may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Splunk and its respective executive officers and directors in the transaction, which may be different than those of Splunk stockholders generally, by reading the definitive proxy statement regarding the transaction, which was filed with the SEC.

In addition, Cisco and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to have participated in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk’s stockholders in favor of the approval of the transaction. Information concerning Cisco’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Cisco’s proxy statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 17, 2023, the 2023 annual report furnished to security holders on October 17, 2023, annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 7, 2023, Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 21, 2023 and Cisco’s other filings with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by going to Cisco’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.cisco.com. 

このブログはこちらの英語ブログの翻訳、大久保 かがりによるレビューです。