Expand Networks, www.expand.com, a leading provider of WAN Optimization Controllers (WOCs), today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held NetPriva Pty Ltd, a specialist developer of software–only WAN Optimization solutions. NetPriva´s unique socket–level classification technology introduces a new dimension of traffic visibility and recognition based on socket processing inside the client OS. NetPriva´s technology offers the deepest levels of QoS assurance, application control, traffic shaping and management on the market today, enabling organizations to deliver guaranteed bandwidth, prioritize applications and enhance WAN performance. The transaction is anticipated to be consummated within several days and is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.
With WAN infrastructures shifting from traditional hub–and–spoke to mesh architectures, application and data traffic profiles are changing from datacentre–to–branch connectivity to more interactive office–to–office; remote user–to–remote user communications. IT managers face the challenge of monitoring and controlling traffic flows directly between user PCs at branch offices and remote locations.
"As companies deploy advanced technologies such as IP telephony, unified communications and MPLS WANs, more and more traffic flows bypass the data center," said Joe Skorupa, Research VP, Gartner, Inc. "In this environment the ability to implement distributed QoS in this mesh of endpoints will be key."
Solving the QoS problem for this complex environment requires a client–based solution that can control traffic at the PC socket layer and that has a distributed, adaptive QoS mechanism to manage all connected PCs. NetPriva is the only vendor today that has a solution to overcome this challenge. With the integration of NetPriva´s technology Expand will become the first WOC vendor in the market to support these features in an integrated fashion across WOC appliances and SoftWOC clients.
The acquisition comes in the wake of Expand´s recently announced investment. NetPriva brings a seasoned R&D team, mature technology, patented Intellectual Property and advanced technical innovation. The acquisition adds further impetus to Expand´s pending SoftWOC client launch which is scheduled for release in Q109. All subsequent releases will integrate and leverage the NetPriva technology, resulting in the only SoftWOC client to address the needs of the changing application traffic flow patterns being seen in today´s distributed enterprise.
Ellie Barr, CEO, Expand Networks said, "The acquisition of NetPriva is further evidence of our stated growth strategy and commitment to delivering the next generation of WAN Optimization technologies in order to cement our leadership position in the market. We are pleased to welcome NetPriva, its staff, shareholders, channels, partners and customers into the Expand family and look forward to a prosperous future together." Barr concludes, "The integration of NetPriva´s technology into the Expand WOC portfolio will result in a true generational leap across the Expand portfolio of SoftWOC, WOC appliance and Virtualized WOC offerings."
Commenting on the acquisition, Peter Vroom, co–founder and principal of NetPriva said, "Being acquired by a market leader in WAN Optimization is great testimony to our technical innovation and market vision. Expand is recognized as a true pioneer and innovator in the WAN Optimization sector and is a perfect fit for us, both technologically and culturally. We look forward to an exciting and lucrative future within the Expand fold as we integrate the two company´s technologies to deliver the next generation of WAN optimization solutions. "
NetPriva´s software runs on the remote user´s PC and provides acceleration software that enables 100% application and user visibility, classification and control. It is granular, portable and interoperable with all types of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) thus a compelling proposition for the enterprise with remote offices and mobile users.
"Integrating NetPriva´s software only solution with its range of market leading appliances gives Expand a strong market proposition due to its ability to address the needs of the entire WAN ecosystem, from the datacenter to the branch office to the remote user", commented Jim Metzler, Principal, Ashton, Metzler & Associates. "Technologically this is a great fit for them. I have personally tested the NetPriva solution and found it to be a cost–effective, easy to use management and optimization solution for branch offices, not only saving time, but reducing operation costs, while deployment was seamless and multi–user friendly. I could see exactly what was happening on my network with every application at all times."
