TMCnet News

NETGEAR Launches Business Central, a Cloud-Based IT Service Platform for Making Networks Easier to Deploy, Manage and Use
[June 29, 2015]

NETGEAR Launches Business Central, a Cloud-Based IT Service Platform for Making Networks Easier to Deploy, Manage and Use


NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTGR) (www.netgear.com), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to businesses, consumers and service providers, has launched Business Central, the company's first secure, cloud-based IT service platform. Business Central is designed to provide small to mid-sized organizations with an affordable way to establish, provision and manage key IT networking services and network devices. The first service module to debut under the Business Central umbrella is the new Business Central Wireless Manager (http://wireless.netgear.com), which enables companies as well as Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and other Systems Integrators (SIs) to centrally manage an entire wireless network across multiple borders, cities, buildings and floors, anytime and anywhere, securely through the cloud.

As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) platform, Business Central provides enterprise-grade service levels with sophisticated client load balancing and redundancy to ensure maximum uptime while minimizing capital cost expenditures. Business Central Wireless Manager is a new way to deliver managed WiFi (News - Alert) for growing organizations that want to cost-effectively and centrally manage single or multiple NETGEAR ProSAFE® WiFi access points (APs) per site, or hundreds or thousands of access points across multiple sites. For retail chains, coffee shops, small offices, multiple branch offices, and restaurant chains, the alternative is using standalone AP deployments without centralized management, or hardware-based wireless controllers that have service sizing limitations.

"Having multiple standalone access points is no longer feasible as configuration changes become routine rather than occasional. However, for some organizations, the jump to a managed wireless LAN network can become demanding and overly complex for both IT budgets and IT resources," said Peter Newton, senior director of product management for the NETGEAR Commercial Business Unit.

He added, "What's needed is a bridge solution between standalone APs and a controller, where flexibility, scalability and ease-of-use are standard and -more importantly- affordable. For small to large enterprises and organizations with single to multiple branch locations, our Business Central Wireless Manager maximizes ROI and is the optimum tool for easy and cost-effective centralized WiFi management. It's an effective solution for both customer-deployed scenarios as well as a VAR-managed service. VARs and their customers can benefit from a free 90-day introductory trial."

An effortless cloud network for resellers and their customers

With Business Central Wireless Manager, all management is performed remotely through a standard web browser. As the management function is hosted on the web, operational administrative tasks that are relevant to traditional controller architectures are eliminated - the purchase, update, support renewal, and maintenance of separate hardware are not required. With Business Central Wireless Manager's single, comprehensive portal dashboard and simple-to-use configuration wizards, the IT manager, VAR or SI can bring multiple sites, APs and users under one management umbrella within minutes. With just a few clicks, it's easy to manage wireless SSIDs, configure wireless security settings, control free or fee-paying guest and private WiFi access on the network, and run bandwidth usage reports. Leveraging NETGEAR's best-in-class user experience design, Business Central Wireless Manager enables IT administrators to have clear, comprehensive and real-time visibility into the network for total control of evolving service needs.

While appropriate for self-managed end-customer deployments, Business Central Wireless Manager broadens the product choice available to VARs and SIs. It provides them the ability to offer managed WiFi not only via customer-premise hardware controllers, but through the cloud as a trusted managed service for customers who have no desire or IT skills for network management. Business Central Wireless Manager doesn't require hardware installation at customer premises and provides a pay-as-you-grow model.

Exploding Growth in Demand for Wireless Connectivity

"Our research shows that the number of network-connected devices on SMB and enterprise networks is expected to jump 20 percent between 2014 and 2016, driven by a growing user population, more devices per user, and new use cases like Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and Internet of Things (IoT)," said Matthias Machowinski, research director for enterprise networking at IHS Infonetics (News - Alert) (www.infonetics.com). "Three out of every four devices are expected to connect wirelessly to the network, making robust wireless connectivity a must-have for organizations who want to take advantage of new capabilities and incorporate mobility into their business processes."



Shopping centers offering free and paid WiFi access to shop owners and the public, a restaurant owner with multiple franchises and several access points at each site, a group of community centers - all add up to more devices, users, traffic and concurrent connections placing heavier burdens on growing wireless networks. Knowing what is connected to the network, where there is client and traffic congestion, as well as bandwidth utilization, shouldn't be a guessing game.

"Every Sunday, the New Hope Church network is stressed by hundreds of additional client devices jumping onto WiFi," said Kyle Larson, the IT director for New Hope Church in Houston, Texas (www.newhopechurch.tv), which has multiple locations. "A flexible, cloud-based solution like NETGEAR Business Central Wireless Manager is an attractive option for its flexible captive portal, maximum uptime, and easy scalability. We also appreciate its cost-effective, pay-as-you-go licensing model."


Manage Your NETGEAR Access Points

NETGEAR Business Central Wireless Manager provides centralized control and comprehensive monitoring of all wireless access points and clients directly from the cloud. It supports the following NETGEAR access points.

  • ProSAFE® Wireless-N Dual-Band Concurrent Premium Access Point (News - Alert) (WNDAP660)
  • ProSAFE Wireless-N Dual Band Concurrent Access Point (WNDAP360)
  • ProSAFE Wireless-N Dual Band Concurrent Access Point (WNDAP350)
  • ProSAFE Wireless-N Single Band Access Point (WNAP320)
  • ProSAFE Wireless-N Single Band Access Point (WNAP210v2)

Depending upon the purchase date of the access point, a free firmware upgrade may be needed for it to become cloud-ready. Firmware is available for download from the NETGEAR Support website.

Pricing and Availability

NETGEAR Business Central Wireless Manager is available now worldwide through authorized NETGEAR partners and other reseller channels. It is available in several licensing packages. While final pricing for end customers may vary depending on the reseller and bundled offerings, individual MSRPs in the U.S. are listed below:

  • 1 Access Point for 12 months (WM1AP1YL-10000S) = $99 USD
  • 1 Access Point for 36 months (WM1AP3YL-10000S) = $223 USD
  • 10 Access Points for 12 months (WM10AP1YL-10000S) = $990 USD
  • 10 Access Points for 36 months (WM10AP3YL-10000S) = $2,228 USD
  • 50 Access Points for 12 months (WM50AP1YL-10000S) = $4,950 USD
  • 50 Access Points for 36 months (WM50AP3YL-10000S) = $11,138 USD

Business Central Wireless Manager includes an introductory 90-day free service trial for VARs and their customers.

More Information

NETGEAR Business Central Wireless Manager provides world-class reliability and is backed by 24x7 Lifetime Technical Support.*

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQ:NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. The Company's products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. The product line consists of wired and wireless devices that enable networking, broadband access and network connectivity. These products are available in multiple configurations to address the needs of the end-users in each geographic region in which the Company's products are sold. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 44,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 33,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in approximately 25 countries. More information is available at http://investor.netgear.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at www.twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

©2015 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and ProSAFE are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s). The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. NETGEAR shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved.

Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product's compatibility with any future standards.

* Lifetime Technical Support is provided via free phone support for first 90 days, and via free online chat thereafter. Customer should consult their local NETGEAR representative for applicable support services.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]