AirTight Networks Debuts as a "Major Player" in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise WLAN 2013-2014 Vendor Analysis Report

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AirTight Networks has been a "sleeper hit" in the Wi-Fi industry since releasing its cloud-managed Wi-Fi in 2011. Not anymore! Following a summer of noteworthy developments, such as a $10 million funding round to accelerate growth, a major talent acquisition spree, and AirTight Social Wi-Fi & Analytics product launch, the company is making industry observers take notice. To add fuel to the fire, IDC has now recognized AirTight as a "Major Player" in its WLAN MarketScape report ⁽¹⁾. AirTight joins larger and more established WLAN providers in this category, and is one of the few private vendors included in the MarketScape.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110920/SF70792LOGO)

"We see a fast-moving trend towards 'appification' of Wi-Fi, as Wi-Fi grows beyond plain-vanilla transport, and becomes an application delivery layer, driving business results, rather than just meeting IT goals," said David King, Chairman and CEO of AirTight. "The next wave of Wi-Fi is coming, turning 'Wi-Fi' into 'AppiFi™'. This trend, coupled with upgrade cycles due to 802.11ac adoption, will shake up the WLAN space."

IDC notes that the traditional controller-based WLAN architecture, which grew out of the wireless networking needs of the largest enterprises, is being challenged by newer architectures, most notably the virtualized controller and cloud-managed solutions. According to IDC, the case for cloud-based WLAN architectures is especially attractive within the distributed midsize enterprise, where smaller sites benefit from centralized management and control and not having to deal with a physical controller.

"Building on its WIPS market presence in the distributed enterprise space, AirTight has built an impressive cloud infrastructure for managing WLAN rollouts," said Rohit Mehra, IDC's Vice President of Network Infrastructure. "Social media integration and location-based analytics improve AirTight's value proposition for the retailers. Many distributed enterprises – such as educational institutions with satellite campuses, healthcare networks, and financial services – present more opportunities for AirTight, as these are also markets where security capability is a key requirement."

The report notes further AirTight's innovations, including opex-only pricing options and a user-friendly network management system which operates on a number of platforms, including iPad and Android tablets. As a newer and smaller WLAN vendor, AirTight also earns high marks for its responsive customer service, according to IDC.

Download the 13-page excerpt at http://idcdocserv.com/243354e_airtight

Source: 1. IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise WLAN 2013-2014 Vendor Analysis, doc #243354, September 2013.

About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About AirTight Networks
AirTight Networks is the global leader in comprehensive cloud Wi-Fi solutions. The company's award winning family of products and cloud services combines a true carrier-class multitenant cloud architecture with breakthroughs in Wi-Fi location, user analytics, manageability, ease of deployment, and cost effectiveness, as well as AirTight's longtime top-rated WIPS technology. AirTight's global customer base consists of leading enterprises in the government, financial, technology/telecom, manufacturing, health care, retail and hospitality sectors. Visit us at www.airtightnetworks.com, or follow us @AirTight.

SOURCE AirTight Networks