Cisco has announced its intent to acquire Fluidmesh Networks, a developer of wireless backhaul systems. 

Fluidmesh’s technology promises reliable and resilient wireless solutions for mission critical applications, whether it’s high-speed rail and mass transit or large-scale distributed sites such as ports and urban settings where signal strength can be challenging. Cisco says that Fluidmesh’s solutions are quick to deploy and configure, offering customers a cost-efficient, low-maintenance solution.

Fluidmesh will extend Cisco’s industrial wireless offerings to industries with on-the-move assets and applications in situations where reliable backhaul is mission critical. The deal will accelerate Cisco’s industrial IoT business to enable successful industrial wireless deployments, broaden reach to key customer segments, partners, and end users. 

“Cisco provides one of the most secure and reliable networking technologies on the market today,” said Liz Centoni, senior vice president and general manager for Cloud, Compute, and IoT businesses. 

“With wireless technology playing a greater role in every organisation’s multi-access IoT strategy, reliable wireless connectivity is paramount to organizations operating Industrial IoT environments, whether that’s manufacturing, mining, rail, or ports, where wireless technology automates operations to improve safety and lower costs. The acquisition of Fluidmesh strengthens Cisco’s offerings in this space with leading technology that’s designed to provide zero loss of data transfer at speeds in excess of 300 Km/h.”

The acquisition of Fluidmesh is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2020, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals. According to the company, the acquisition will:

• Extend Cisco’s reach in industrial wireless to include on-the-move applications where reliable backhaul is mission critical. Fluidmesh’s technology is designed to provide zero loss of data transfer when assets such as trains and subways are moving at high rates of speed. Today, customers are using Fluidmesh’s wireless technologies in rail, mining, ports, and public transit to improve productivity, safety, and the customer experience. 
• Accelerate Cisco’s Industrial IoT business and broaden its reach to key partners and end users. Cisco’s scale and market reach, combined with Fluidmesh’s industry-specialised sales team and systems integrator relationships, will help accelerate Cisco’s Industrial IoT business and broaden its reach.
• The Fluidmesh team will join Cisco’s IoT business