Cisco this week reorganized its technology development organization to better streamline the company's development of video, data center, collaboration and Web 2.0 products.

Cisco, the dominant supplier of network systems to enterprises, intends make the network the core platform for all enterprise IT. That includes embedding more software and service functions into the network that today reside on servers, high-end computing systems, desktop PCs and special-purpose computing appliances, such as application accelerators and load balancers.

To that end, the realignment of the Cisco Development Organization (CDO) is intended to improve the company's coordination and efficiency in developing integrated products and systems, the company says. "We believe this new organization will enable us to better execute our strategy to define next-generation communications and IT," said Charlie Giancarlo, Cisco's executive vice president and chief development officer, in a statement.

The changes are effective immediately and include four new groups within the CDO. They are:

-- The Access Networking and Services Group, led by Kathy Hill, senior vice president. This group is responsible for Cisco's Integrated Service Routers, fixed configuration switches, and wireless and security products, with a focus on integrating network services into Cisco's products.

-- The Consumer and Small Business Group, led by Ned Hooper, senior vice president. This group will be responsible for expanding Cisco's business in the consumer and small-business markets. Cisco's Linksys subsidiary will be a part of this group. Hooper will retain his current role as senior vice president of corporate development, reporting to Rick Justice. In his role as head of the Consumer and Small Business Group, however, Hooper will report to Giancarlo.

-- The Data Center, Switching & Services Group, led by Jayshree Ullal, senior vice president. This group will develop Cisco's enterprise-class products that comply with the company's Datacenter 3.0 and Campus Communications Fabric initiatives.

-- The Software Group, led by Don Proctor, senior vice president. This group will be responsible for setting the software strategy for the company at the network and services levels. This group will include network software, management, unified communications and collaboration technologies, and will steer Cisco's efforts in software-as-a-service.

Along with this restructuring, Cisco announced the establishment of a development council made up of CDO management and chaired by Giancarlo. This council will be chartered to oversee Cisco's ability to deliver more integrated products to customers.