Cisco Snaps Up Wi-Fi Analytics StartupCisco Snaps Up Wi-Fi Analytics Startup

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) will add some Wi-Fi smarts after snapping up ThinkSmart Technologies, an Ireland-based startup whose software analyzes Wi-Fi traffic patterns in public venues such as retail locations, hotels and airports.

Financial terms weren't disclosed, but it's a small deal, announced on the Cisco blog by Hilton Romanski, head of Cisco corporate business development.

According to a Cisco spokeswoman, ThinkSmart's four employees have joined Cisco's Wireless Networking Business, a unit that makes access points, wireless LAN controllers and wireless network management systems. ThinkSmart's technology, which collects data on Wi-Fi activity within a venue based on elements such as time of day, traffic patterns and "dwell times," will be integrated with Cisco's Mobile Services Engine.

ThinkSmart, a company founded in 2010 and led by CEO Brendan O’Brien, was incubated at Ireland's University College Cork (UCC).

Why this matters
The buy gives Cisco some additional Wi-Fi smarts and expertise as service providers aim to improve the customer experience on their wireless broadband networks. The buy comes into play as service operators, including cable operators, deploy Wi-Fi networks to help backhaul cellular traffic and to serve as a free add-on/retention tool for high-speed data customers.

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— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable