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Techday NZ
05-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Netgear unveils new business strategy with AI & AV growth
NETGEAR has introduced a new strategy intended to address the rising requirement from small to medium businesses for seamless, scalable, and secure network connectivity. The company's revised approach for NETGEAR for Business aims to deliver next-generation networking products focused on simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises without compromising on its established record of expertise in networking technology. CJ Prober, Chief Executive Officer at NETGEAR, commented on the transformation, stating, "For nearly 30 years, NETGEAR has been the trusted force behind the world's most critical connections—powering businesses, ideas, and experiences across the globe. But the business world is evolving quickly and so are we. Networking is no longer just about being online; it's about leveraging that connection to drive innovation, collaboration and experiences." He added, "In this next era of NETGEAR we're stripping away complexity, removing friction, and reimagining what business networking can be so that our customers don't just keep up with change, they lead it." The change in NETGEAR's business vision is being led by Pramod Badjate, President and General Manager of NETGEAR for Business. Badjate, who joined the company nine months ago and has past experience in networking firms including Arista, Ruckus, and Cisco, is directing a shift in strategy that positions NETGEAR more prominently as a partner for small and medium businesses confronting increasingly digital operations. The company reported over 15% revenue growth in this segment last quarter and projects double-digit growth for 2025. Badjate is spearheading increased investment in product development and technological advancements. NETGEAR plans to accelerate research and development funding over the next three years to improve its portfolio for business customers. A primary element of the strategy includes the acquisition of VAAG Systems, a Chennai-based company specialising in embedded and cloud software. The acquisition will form the core of NETGEAR's new Software Development Centre in Chennai, bringing in a team with experience from Qualcomm, HP, Cisco, and MaxLinear. This team will focus on applying artificial intelligence to streamline networking tasks for small and medium enterprises. The company emphasised that every new initiative supports a clear goal: moving customers away from complex or fragmented networks lacking adequate support and avoiding unnecessarily expensive network systems with unused features. Badjate explained, "Current networking solutions don't meet the needs of small and medium enterprises. They're stuck with either complex, overpriced systems meant for larger companies or fragmented solutions that don't integrate well and lack proper support." He continued, "We're changing that, offering an integrated solution that is much easier to deploy and manage for MSPs and small IT departments alike. We acknowledge the criticality of networking for these businesses and do not compromise on reliability and support." NETGEAR also highlighted its work in AV-over-IP technology, pointing out the increased need for seamless video integration in modern workplaces. The company's AV division has established a partnership network exceeding 400 industry participants and provides a portfolio of preconfigured AV solutions and support services. Under Badjate's leadership, this segment intends to expand its portfolio for commercial, broadcast, and residential clients, furthering NETGEAR's position at the crossroads of AV and IT. Speaking about the AV business segment, Badjate said, "From concert halls and command & control centres to stadiums and boardrooms, NETGEAR AV powers the world's most impactful audio-visual experiences. There has never been a more exciting time to be a partner or customer of NETGEAR. We are delivering plug and play AV solutions that just work by deleting the complexity of an AV over IP network. Our partners, in turn, realise huge savings in labor costs compared to traditional solutions." NETGEAR stated that over the coming months it will introduce additional products, programmes, and partnerships, all with the aim of supporting its business customers with greater simplicity, AI-driven improvements, scalability, and technical support.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Netgear acquires India's VAAG Systems to boost software development capabilities; bets on AI
NEW DELHI: US-headquartered Netgear has acquired India's VAAG Systems to boost its in-sourcing of software development capability. The Chennai-based firm's executive team, research and development (R&D) specialists and engineers will subsequently join the Wi-Fi gear maker and drive Netgear's new Chennai-based 'Software Development Center', according to a joint statement on Friday. 'Over the next three years, the company plans to accelerate its investment in R&D to enhance its current business offerings. The first key milestone is the acquisition of VAAG Systems, a creator of cutting-edge embedded and cloud software solutions based in Chennai, India,' Netgear said in the statement. The companies, however, did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. Sudarsan Vasudevan, co-founder & CEO, VAAG Systems, in a LinkedIn statement Friday, said, 'I'm humbled to share that I'll be joining Netgear as Vice President of Software. I believe management's true purpose is to scale trust, and I'm excited to extend the culture we built at VAAG to larger teams at Netgear.' The new team brings expertise in working at multinational telecom and technology companies, including Qualcomm, HP, Cisco, and MaxLinear, and will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for small and medium enterprises– a segment that grew by over 15% in terms of revenue for Netgear in Q4 2024. The Wi-Fi products maker has projected a double-digit growth for 2025 for its 'Netgear for Business' unit, which serves small and medium enterprises. 'Networking is no longer just about being online; it's about leveraging that connection to drive innovation, collaboration and experiences,' said CJ Prober, CEO, Netgear. 'In this next era of Netgear, we are stripping away complexity, removing friction, and reimagining what business networking can be so that our customers don't just keep up with change, they lead it.' 'Current networking solutions don't meet the needs of small and medium enterprises. They're stuck with either complex, overpriced systems meant for larger companies or fragmented solutions that don't integrate well and lack proper support,' said Pramod Badjate, president & GM, Netgear for Business. Badjate added that Netgear is addressing these challenges by offering an integrated solution that is easier to deploy and manage for managed service providers (MSPs) and small IT departments alike. The San Jose-based company said it will also expand into the commercial, broadcast, and residential audiovisual (AV) segments to cement its positioning at the intersection of AV and IT.
