NetD sees opportunity for its technology to be promoted worldwide

NetD sees opportunity for its technology to be promoted worldwide

D. Murali and C. Ramesh (The Hindu)

Chennai, May 19: Marking the newest update in the Indian tech M&A story, Bangalore-based privately held NetDevices (NetD) was acquired this week by Alcatel-Lucent for an undisclosed sum.

The company, which specialises in services gateway products for enterprise branch networks, delivers a platform known as a unified service gateway that is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of managing branch office networks.

“This acquisition will give an opportunity for our technology to be promoted worldwide through a very strong global player like Alcatel-Lucent,” said Mr Uday Birje, Country Manager and Vice-President (India and Asean Region).

Speaking to Business Line on the contours of the deal, he said that it adds value to NetDevices and bodes well for its future because the overall strengths of Alcatel-Lucent in various fields – like voice, wireless and telephony – provide an opportunity for NetD’s technology to be integrated with these, “thus meeting the future and current requirements of today’s enterprises.”

NetD was founded in 2003 and has 45 employees located in Sunnyvale, US (its headquarters) and Bangalore.

Mr Seenu Banda, founder and CEO, had said during the announcement of the merger that NetD “joins Alcatel-Lucent to complement its solutions, and to pursue our goal of delivering innovative products to a large set of customers worldwide.”

Mr Birje also said that he would continue to play a key role in expanding the business and opportunities with the new company.

“At the moment I am excited at the opportunity of being a part of a large global corporation and have not made any future plans.”

According to him, all NetD employees will be integrated with the Enterprise Division of Alcatel-Lucent. “This deal will be great boost for the careers of the employees in being a part of a large global corporation.”