Mission critical IoT connectivity a goal of Cisco acquisition

U.S. networking company Cisco announced the intent to acquire privately-held Fluidmesh Networks, a specialist in wireless backhaul systems, the former said in a release.

Fluidmesh’s technology delivers wireless solutions for mission critical applications. Fluidmesh’s solutions are quick to deploy and configure, offering customers a cost-efficient, low-maintenance solution, Cisco said.

Fluidmesh will extend Cisco’s industrial wireless offerings to industries with on-the-move assets and applications in situations where reliable backhaul is mission critical. Cisco’s scale, combined with Fluidmesh’s solution-based offerings and relationships with systems integrators, will accelerate Cisco’s industrial IoT business to enable successful industrial wireless deployments, broaden reach to key customer segments, partners, and end users.

“Cisco provides one of the most secure and reliable networking technologies on the market today,” said Liz Centoni, senior vice president and general manager for Cloud, Compute, and IoT businesses. “With wireless technology playing a greater role in every organization’s multi-access IoT strategy, reliable wireless connectivity is paramount to organizations operating Industrial IoT environments, whether that’s manufacturing, mining, rail, or ports, where wireless technology automates operations to improve safety and lower costs. The acquisition of Fluidmesh strengthens Cisco’s offerings in this space with leading technology that’s designed to provide zero loss of data transfer at speeds in excess of 300 Km/h.”

Cisco noted that the acquisition of Fluidmesh is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2020, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.

The firm also highlighted that the acquisition will extend Cisco’s position in the industrial wireless sector to include on-the-move applications where reliable backhaul is mission critical.  Today, customers are using Fluidmesh’s reliable wireless technologies in rail, mining, ports, and public transit to improve productivity, safety, and the customer experience.

The transaction will also accelerate Cisco’s Industrial IoT business and broaden its reach to key partners and end users.

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