There are probably more than a few former Motricity workers in the Triangle who aren't sorry to learn that CEO Ryan Wuerch has left.

While CEO in 2008, Wuerch orchestrated the technology company's move to near Seattle from Durham. That cost hundreds of local workers their jobs and shifted the fast-growing firm's headquarters out of this region.

Motricity, which still has a smaller operation in Durham, announced this morning that it has "mutually agreed" with Wuerch to terminate his employment as of Aug. 20.

Tekelec reported another decline in quarterly revenue this morning, but its financial results exceeded expectations of Wall Street analysts.

The Morrisville company makes software and other telecommunications technology that helps move data and video over high-speed and wireless networks.

Tekelec reshuffled its top management and slashed jobs this year as it shifts to focus on faster-growing parts of its business. It's counting on increasing demand for products tied to next-generation wireless networks.

In May, the company laid off about 50 people at its Morrisville headquarters as part of a broader restructuring to cut costs. Tekelec employs about 1,250 people worldwide, including about 625 in the Triangle.

Second-quarter revenue was $96.8 million, down 12 percent from a year earlier. Excluding some charges, Tekelec's net income was $5.8 million, or 8 cents a share.

Research in Motion will cut 2,000 jobs to offset slowing sales of its once-iconic BlackBerry smartphones.

The Canadian company is seeing weaker demand for BlackBerry phones, amid increasing competition from Apple's iPhone and other rivals. It recently introduced a new Playbook tablet computer and is preparing to start selling a new version of its Bold phone.

"They need to find a way to make consumers get excited about RIM products," Evercore Partners analyst Alkesh Shah told Bloomberg News. "At this point they haven't gotten there."

RIM has quickly expanded a research facility in Cary during the past year. In April, the company disclosed that it employs about 200 people locally.

It isn't clear how many local jobs will be affected in the cuts. 

Research in Motion, which has quickly expanded a research facility in Cary during the past year, plans to cut an unspecified number of jobs companywide to offset slowing sales and falling market share.

The Canadian company is best known for its BlackBerry smartphones, but is struggling amid increasing competition from Apple's iPhone and other rivals. It recently introduced a new Playbook tablet computer and is preparing to start selling a new version of its Bold phone.

But this afternoon, RIM forecast quarterly sales and profit that were weaker than analysts had expected. RIM shares fell more than $5 in late trading, after closing at $35.33 today. The stock was already down 39 percent this year.

The company didn't estimate how many jobs might be cut in its planned "headcount reduction," which is expected to begin in the current quarter.

Tekelec has promoted a former Lucent Technologies executive as its new CEO.

Ron de Lange joined the Morrisville-based telecommunications technology company in 2005 and has been "the primary architect of the company's product strategy." He replaces interim CEO Krish Prabhu, who took the job in January after Frank Plastina abruptly resigned after 5 years as CEO.

De Lange, 52, takes over as Tekelec goes through a key transition. The company, which makes software and other technology used by mobile-phone carriers, has seen sales slow and is shifting its focus to the next generation of wireless networks that carry more data and video.

Tekelec, which laid off about 50 employees at its Morrisville headquarters this month, named a former Alcatel-Lucent executive as its new chairman.

The local layoffs were part of a broader restructuring as the telecommunications equipment company tries to cut costs and offset slower sales. The company expects to eliminate up to 15 percent of its global workforce as it focuses on next generation technology.

Hubert de Pesquidoux, who has been a Tekelec board member since 2009, has taken over as chairman. He replaces Mark Floyd, who did not seek reelection.

It's the second top executive change at the company this year.

Cisco Systems, one of the Triangle's biggest technology employers, plans to slash $1 billion in annual expenses as it undertakes a major reorganization that could result in significant job losses locally and worldwide.

CEO John Chambers is trying to revamp the company's operations to offset slowing sales, boost profit and restore investor confidence. As the company reported its latest quarterly earnings this afternoon, Cisco also gave a financial forecast for the current quarter that missed analyst expectations.

Cisco has previously disclosed that it's offering early retirement buyouts to thousands of U.S. and Canadian workers. Chambers told Wall Street analysts on a conference call today that various cost-cutting moves will save about $1 billion, but didn't say how many jobs he expects to eliminate.

That savings represents about 6 percent of annual expenses. Cutting that much of Cisco's workforce could amount to 4,400 of the company's 73,400 employees.

The San Jose, Calif.-based company employs about 4,900 workers and contractors at its campus in Research Triangle Park. A 6 percent cut in RTP could mean 300 jobs.

Tekelec plans to eliminate up to 15 percent of its workforce to offset slowing sales, a move that could cost up to 90 jobs in the Triangle.

The Morrisville technology company announced this morning it has begun a restructuring "designed to align its operating cost structure with its current and expected business opportunities."

That includes cutting its workforce 10 percent to 15 percent, with layoffs expected to happen in phases through the end of this year. Tekelec employs about 1,250 people worldwide, including 625 in Morrisville. Officials began notifying affected employees on Wednesday.

The layoffs will hit Tekelec's operations in the United States and "certain international locations," the company reported.

Cisco Systems began offering early retirement buyouts to some U.S. and Canadian employees this week, the latest cost-cutting effort by the technology company.

Cisco didn't disclose details of the program, including how many people will get an offer, or how many the company hopes will take it.

But hundreds could be affected at the California company's Research Triangle Park campus, where it employs about 4,900 people. The minimum age for the buyouts is 50 for Cisco workers with 10 years experience with the company.
 

Google has bid $900 million for thousands of patents held by Nortel Networks, the telecommunications company that filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

The so-called stalking horse agreement essentially sets that price as the minimum, and Nortel will ask a bankruptcy court for permission to seek higher bids on its patent portfolio.

The portfolio includes about 6,000 patents and patent applications for wireless, data networking, high-speed Internet and other technologies.

Nortel was once one of the largest private employers in the Triangle, and many of its patents involve at least some work done at its Research Triangle Park campus.