FRAMINGHAM, Mass., December 14, 2011 – International Data Corporation (IDC) has published a new vendor and market analysis profiling the leading providers in the worldwide enterprise wireless local area network (WLAN) market. The IDC MarketScape report utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology that produces a definitive assessment of each vendor's current market capabilities and strategies for competing in the future. IDC placed two vendors – Cisco and Aruba – in the "Leaders" category for 2011/2012, with several others, including HP Networking and Motorola Solutions being recognized as "Major Players."

The explosion of mobile devices within the enterprise is having a dramatic impact on the WLAN market. "This market continues to gain momentum as vendors and end users discover more possibilities and growth potential with mobile enterprise applications and cloud applications and services," said Rohit Mehra, director, Enterprise Communications Infrastructure at IDC. "The demand for adaptable, robust, easily deployed wireless LAN solutions is on the rise as more and more enterprise employees access the network through smart mobile devices." As the market continues to evolve, the traditional controller-based model is being complemented by emerging, alternate architectures, such as cloud-based and integrated or virtualized WLAN deployments.

The study, IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise WLAN, 2011-2012 Vendor Analysis (IDC #231686) discusses both quantitative and qualitative characteristics that explain a vendor's success in the marketplace and helps anticipate its ascendancy. As the first IDC MarketScape for the enterprise WLAN market, the study examines the enterprise wireless LAN market through the lens of indoor WLAN infrastructure, with an emphasis on the new 802.11n standard along with various deployment architectures. Although IDC evaluates portfolios with capabilities in prior standards (802.11a/b/g) and in outdoor, mesh and SP WiFi, these factors play a relatively small role in our considerations. Covering a variety of vendors participating in the enterprise WLAN market, this evaluation is based on a comprehensive framework and set of parameters that assess vendors relative to one another and to those factors expected to be most conducive to success in this market, for both the short and the long term.

The vendors included in the analysis are Aerohive, Aruba, Bluesocket-ADTRAN, Cisco, D-Link, Enterasys, Extricom, HP Networking, Juniper, Meraki, Meru Networks, Motorola Solutions, Ruckus, and Xirrus. In addition to the two vendors identified as "Leaders" (Cisco and Aruba), a total of nine vendors were named as "Major Players." They are Aerohive, Enterasys, HP Networking, Juniper, Meraki, Meru Networks, Motorola Solutions, Ruckus, and Xirrus.

Organizations considering deploying new WLAN technology need to take a look at how implementing the new technology will affect the current networking infrastructure as well as business-critical applications now and in the future. "IDC MarketScape leaders and major playersare well positioned to seamlessly meet the needs of enterprise users in both the near and long term," Mehra said.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

For more information about IDC MarketScape, please contact Karen Moser at kmoser@idc.com.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. For more than 47 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

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