Expand Networks, a leading provider of application acceleration solutions over the WAN, today announced it has a signed agreement to acquire privately held DiskSites (DS) of Potomac, Maryland, an innovator in wide-area file services (WAFS) software that optimises the delivery of applications to distributed organisations.
Expand Compass is the first wide area networking (WAN) application acceleration platform that tightly integrates multiple technologies and maps them to the corresponding business mandates. This approach helps IT departments navigate and manage network complexities that impact application, user and business productivity.
DiskSites` technology has been integrated into the Expand Compass Platform through an OEM agreement announced in August 2005. The deal, which gives DS shareholders a 13.5% interest in Expand Networks, is expected to close within 60 days.
DiskSites is an innovator and the first company to offer complete wide area file services (WAFS) solutions to global Fortune 2000 companies. The DiskSites technology allows organisations to seamlessly manage and deliver both applications and data throughout the extended enterprise, while also lowering the total cost of IT. DiskSites VBranch solutions address the CIO`s primary concern: ensuring the availability of applications and data, as well as branch-level services, across the global enterprise while also reducing the cost of IT.
"As the application acceleration market matures, companies are moving from making decisions based on point solutions to seeking out complete, integrated application acceleration solutions," commented Joe Skorupa, Research Director, Enterprise Network Infrastructure, Gartner Research.
"Our customers understand that in order for WAFS to realise its full potential, it must be part of an integrated approach, leveraging the benefits of WAN optimisation technologies," added Amir Shaked, CEO, DiskSites Inc.
"This agreement delivers on that promise and further separates Expand Networks Compass Platform from other vendors by delivering the only field proven solution that integrates full layer 2 through layer 7 network and application optimisation capabilities. Through WAFS optimisation in layer 7, the Expand Compass Platform becomes a trusted entity in the domain, providing a "no compromise" alternative for the customer. The results include cost-reduction and superior performance with guaranteed data integrity, compliance with enterprise security policies such as Microsoft`s SMB packet signing, full integration with Microsoft`s Active Directory, and, most importantly, business continuity during infrastructure outages."
DiskSites will also bring over existing relationships that fortify the alliance, including OKI Network Integration Co, Ltd (`OKINET`), an OEM that is presently integrating DiskSites VBranch WAFS and branch services technology into its solutions portfolio.
"This arrangement delivers on our commitment to our customers for a multi-service integrated platform that improves remote user productivity, while reducing the cost of servicing those users," concluded Amir Chitayat, president of Expand Networks.
"As remote sites proliferate, storage and networking organisations are increasingly interested in combining WAFS and WAN optimisation products to streamline data delivery to those sites.
"DiskSites` technology is a best-of-breed wide-area file services solution, enabling storage consolidation while providing `LAN-like` file access over a WAN. The synergies we enjoyed through close R&D collaboration, complementary channels and singular focus on large commercial and governmental organisations such as Honeywell, BMW, Continental Airlines and the United States Department of Defence have now been cemented."
DiskSites
DiskSites brings the resources of the data centre to users at geographically distributed offices, providing remote optimised application delivery solutions that reduce the cost of branch office IT. Its products eliminate the need to maintain and administer file, print, DHCP and DNS servers, storage and tape sub-systems at remote locations while also ensuring that remote users have direct access to centralised data.
Available as an appliance-based product or through a software licence, DiskSites dramatically reduces both the IT footprint and the total cost of ownership for global Fortune 2000 corporations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and other distributed organisations.
Its leading VBranch solution provides wide area file services and branch level services, simplifying network administration, increasing data integrity and ensuring access to the right resources while protecting the security of enterprise information.
For further information on Expand Networks, please contact Mike Ransom: telephone (012) 667 3820, fax (012) 665 2918, cell 082 774 9250, e-mail mike.ransom@expand.com.
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Expand Networks is the pioneer and leader in helping organisations simplify their IT infrastructure while delivering remote offices fast, reliable and secure access to networked applications. This results in improved user productivity and cost-effective IT management. Expand offers a multi-service integrated platform that ensures superior performance for any application over any network. From its headquarters in Roseland, NJ, USA and its global locations, Expand Networks serves more than 1 350 enterprise customers, including American Express, Bacardi USA, BMW, Continental Airlines, Carr America, Colgate, Elizabeth Arden, Reed exhibitions, Target and the United States Department of Defence.
Expand Networks SA has established a local base of more than 50 customers.
Expand Networks, Accelerator, Expand Compass, ExpandView are trademarks of Expand Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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