Startup Looks Beyond 802.11

Greenpacket CEO C.C. Puan unveiled the new product,called SONBuddy (SON stands for self organizing network),last week at the DemoMobile show here.

SONBuddy runs on Windows-based devices and provides an easy-to-use interface that is compatible with any 802.11 standard to form ad-hoc networks without the need for local or public hotspots, Puan said. Product pricing starts at $8,000.

"Our sole mission is to keep people connected with or without wireless infrastructure," he said.

The software identifies mobile users in the area with compatible 802.11 capabilities and allows them to form networks, sync files, collaborate and communicate via voice over IP. The software expands the network range by allowing the signal to hop from device to device, he said. It also eliminates the need for all users to have the same IP prefix, Puan said.

Paul Giobbi, CEO of solution provider ZumaSys, San Clemente, Calif., said the technology initially will appeal to large customers rather than the 100- to 1,000-user businesses ZumaSys services. "Those [larger companies are encouraging their employees to collaborate," he said.

Greenpacket is developing a channel program that will offer training and a free software developer's kit (SDK) that can be used to build vertical applications on top of the technology, Puan said.