Jan 28th 2008

What do these communications network functions have in common: LAN router, PBX, security gateway/firewall, WiFi router, Web and email server, VoIP gateway,QoS and bandwidth management?

 

Not only does that seem inefficient and costly, but it can create integration and reliability issues, resulting in network downtime and lower service quality. For SMBs, having to manage such a conglomeration of hardware likely also requires more resources than they typically have available — at the very least, it takes away from handling other IT concerns.

 

Fortunately, there is an alternative, which was discovered by thousands of attendees at last week’s INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO in Miami, Florida — the edgeBOX all-in-one network appliance from Critical Links. For SMBs with as many as 300 users, Critical Links offers a host of services for which they no longer need disparate devices, lowering both CAPEX andOPEX ( News - Alert).

 

The fact is that SMBs need most of the services available to larger enterprises, but most have neither the skillsets nor the resources to dedicate a separate IT group to manage a complex network infrastructure, and any means available to simplify deployment and management is a welcome relief.

 

By being able to deploy a single edgeBOX appliance, businesses can have their communications networks up and running in a matter of hours, even in Greenfield deployments, delivering a single plug and play resource for converged voice and data applications. In addition, the edgeBOX provides a Unified Management Interface that simplifies management functions so that staff with limited IT expertise are able to effectively maintain the network resources.

 

Working at the network edge, the edgeBOX provides all the applications and functions required by today’s IP-enabled organizations:

 

 

 

 

In today’s communications environment, these functions have all become integral to the overall success of any business — without network reliability and stability, communication with colleagues and customers can become a tragic liability.

 

As Critical Links’ vice president of marketing and business development Abdul Kasim noted, “The rules of the game have changed — even the less tech savvy SMBs are using a lot of new technologies that have become critical to their operations.”

 

To ensure customers are exposed by a lack of IT resources, Critical Links has added built-in redundancy and fault tolerance into edgeBOX in an attempt to ensure business continuity, which is a requirement for businesses of all sizes.

 

To further enhance the value proposition of the edgeBOX, Critical Links also has developed edgePACKs, additional software packages for specific verticals that are fully integrated the edgeBOX appliance. For instance, edgeLMS (Learning Management System) provides a learning management tool for educational facilities that enables them to easily track spending, curriculum, and more.

 

Research firm In-Stat (News - Alert) predicts the MSBG (multi-service business gateway) market will reach $2.6 billion by 2011. In order to capitalize on this SMB opportunity in North America, Critical Links, originally based in Portugal, has moved its global headquarters to Fairfield, New Jersey. It also secured its Series A funding in October, 2007, to further facilitate its marketing and sales efforts, particularly in North America, as it looks to scale its market presence.