Devicescape Launches Wireless Operations Center; Unique Help Desk Solution for Supporting Wi-Fi Network Users

August 8, 2005

BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2005--Devicescape Software, a leader in software for wireless devices, today announced the general availability of the Devicescape™ Wireless Operations Center (WOC). As the first management tool with a focus on supporting the needs of wireless users, WOC makes wireless technology easier to use, more secure and highly manageable. With scalability to hundreds of access points and thousands of users, WOC enables easy resolution of end-user problems via a comprehensive view of wireless network activity. Devicescape's WOC is available to OEMs as a customizable complement to their WLAN product lines, as well as directly to IT managers for deployment as a help desk in their organizations.

In contrast to wired networks, the dynamic nature of wireless networks creates complexities that make supporting wireless users intensely challenging. These complexities include highly mobile users, an unpredictable and constantly changing radio environment, and unauthorized users seeking access. As a result, network support staff find it difficult to obtain a comprehensive picture of network activity and security, and to troubleshoot user connectivity problems. The Devicescape WOC addresses these challenges by providing a highly visual help desk system to monitor all aspects of wireless network services.

The WOC help desk system has already been successfully deployed at NTT-Broadband Platform (NTTBP), a wireless service provider operating hundreds of hotspots throughout the Tokyo metropolitan railway system. With WOC, NTTBP has gained a high-level view of its entire WLAN system and can detect trends that affect network performance before users call to complain. Moreover, with its simple and intuitive user interface, WOC enables NTTBP's support staff to drill down to specific sites and devices in order to quickly isolate and resolve problems.

"The ability for support staff to identify overall system problems and support users on a wireless network has thus far been a highly manual process," said Vincent Lui, senior research analyst, network and service management at IDC. "A help desk system that automates these activities will be a welcome complement to traditional network management systems and a crucial element in ensuring a robust end-user experience."

While other management tools are well-suited to administer the devices that comprise a typical WLAN infrastructure, they lack the means to monitor overall activity trends and help resolve end-user problems. WOC is a perfect complement to these network management tools, and requires no reconfiguration of, or integration with, existing systems in order to be deployed. Also integral to Devicescape's WOC is a unique "time machine" feature, which displays the complete state of the network at any point in the past through the present.

"With the release of WOC, Devicescape has expanded its software products to include management tools that focus on the need to support individual users," said Dave Fraser, CEO of Devicescape. "Our comprehensive new solution is complementary to existing network management systems, greatly enhancing their ability to help companies manage the exploding popularity of wireless networks."

Interested customers can download a trial or commercial version of WOC from Devicescape's Web site at http://www.devicescape.com.

About Devicescape

Devicescape is a leader in wireless software for devices. The company provides the only complete wireless software platform that empowers device manufacturers to deliver on the promise of life without wires. Leveraging the openness and power of unlicensed spectrum wireless LAN (Wi-Fi, 802.11) and the Linux operating system, the Devicescape platform enables the creation of a broad range of wireless devices that connect easily, coordinate seamlessly and can be managed efficiently. Devicescape allows developers in networking and consumer electronics markets to harness complex wireless technologies, leverage open source and focus on their own innovation, resulting in breakthrough products that are easy to use and manage. Headquartered in Brisbane, Calif., the company is privately held and venture-backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, JAFCO Ventures, August Capital and Applied Materials Ventures. To learn more, please consult www.devicescape.com.