 |
|
|
Aruba Networks Rocks the Boat with AirWave Acquisition| Jan 9, 2008 | Enterprise Network Systems | Competitive Intelligence Report
Current Perspective: Positive/Neutral Event SummaryOn January 9th Aruba Network announced the execution of a definitive agreement to purchase AirWave Wireless, Inc. AirWave, a San Mateo, California-based company, is a provider of specialized tools to centrally manage large, multi-vendor wireless LAN, mesh and WiMax networks. Analytical Summary• Current Perspective: Slightly positive on Aruba’s acquisition of AirWave Wireless, because while there may be some initial negative reaction to moving into a traditionally vendor-neutral market, the AirWave products broaden Aruba’s management toolset and customer reach. Combined with its prior acquisitions and its core products, Aruba can be a one stop shop for WLAN deployment and management. • Vendor Importance: High to Aruba, because by adding AirWave to its stable of products, Aruba is not only expanding its own management feature set, but also expanding its exposure to a wider breadth of customers. The move also allows Aruba to move beyond its core WLAN and security products and into new wireless technologies such as WiMAX. • Market Impact: Moderate on the enterprise WLAN market, because the acquisition represents the continued consolidation trend within the WLAN space. Furthermore, many vendors that are also AirWave OEM partners are likely to become disenchanted with the notion of adding to a competitor’s bottom line. This represents clear opportunities for Aruba’s new competitors to gain some ground. Recommended Competitor Actions• AirWave Wireless competitors in the WLAN management space should seize on the acquisition as an opportunity to target both AirWave’s customers and OEM partners. Aruba’s acquisition will cast some doubts on the future direction of the product, opening a window of opportunity for competing solutions. • Competing WLAN vendors, such as Cisco and Motorola, should point out that while the AirWave solution offers a short term relief in managing multi-vendor WLAN environments, long term benefits are only going to be gained from a homogenous WLAN architecture and management platform. • Competitors that currently OEM the AirWave product need to consider a new partner for WLAN management solutions, one that does directly compete with them, but need to handle any transition with care to minimize the impact on their own customers. Recommended End User / Customer Actions• Existing AirWave customers should question Aruba on what the long term support plan is for their existing products. While Aruba is keeping AirWave separate from its core products in the near term, the product’s role in the company will likely evolve over time. • Enterprise customers that are evaluating multi-vendor WLAN management solutions should still include AirWave in those evaluations. While there may be long range concerns, the AirWave product is considered one of the leading solutions on the market. CLIENTS ONLY Current PerspectiveCompetitive PositivesCompetitive ConcernsRecommended Vendor Actions| Client access - Enterprise Network Systems | More information |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OFFICES |
|
