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Critical Links and NextHop VoFi

26/01/07

Critical Links is to integrate Nexthop wireless LAN controller software with its VoIP edgeBOX product line Critical Links, a networking technology company, and NextHop Technologies, a  provider of WiFi control and management software, have announced a sales, marketing and joint development partnership for integrating their products into a single, turnkey solution.

Critical Links will integrate NextHop's wireless LAN controller software into their VoIP business gateway software platform delivering a single turnkey VoFi (Voice over WiFi) offering for business gateway solutions in enterprise and carrier markets. This integration will provide integrated, production-ready software allowing networking equipment OEMs in the business gateway market to decrease development risk and reduce time-to-market.

The edgeBOX software platform from Critical Links is an all-in-one, remotely manageable networking device that incorporates all the latest in-demand technologies such as VoIP, IP-PBX, VPNs, security and QoS. It also provides network access control, has an integrated router and ADSL modem, and can be used as a web server, email server and storage device. The integration of NextHop's industry-leading WiFi control and management software and the edgeBOX creates a comprehensive, easy-to-mange business gateway solution for enterprise and carrier markets.

"This combination is especially important since both VoIP & WiFi are showing rapid growth in the Enterprise and Carriers markets," said Peter Tyndale, vice president of business development at Critical Links. "Setting up a network requires increasingly complex configuration for VoIP-over-WiFi with access point roaming for wireless handsets being a big issue. NextHop's wireless controller software offers quick deployment of wireless LAN infrastructure coupled with scalable, reliable coverage for VoFi voice clients"

"We are very happy to be working with Critical Links to create leading edge VoFi solutions based on best-of-breed VoIP and WiFi technologies", said PG Menon, vp of marketing at NextHop. "There is a growing demand in the enterprise and carrier market for simple, out-of-the box solutions to support VoFi clients. We believe we are unique in providing the necessary simplicity, reliability and scalability required to support large numbers of roaming VoFi clients."

Nick Gibson, editor