Cisco is to buy location analytics technology company ThinkSmart Technologies for an undisclosed sum.
Cork-based ThinkSmart Technologies specialises in using Wi-Fi networks to monitor locations and collect data. It is often used in public venues, for example, to track footfall in certain areas or to see where staff need to be deployed at busy times.
Cisco and ThinkSmart Technologies have worked together before to trial the technology. Now Cisco hopes ThinkSmart will contribute to its growing mobility systems portfolio, while still focusing heavily on the networking aspect.
Hilton Romanski, vice-president and head of corporate business development at Cisco, wrote on the company blog: "Cisco's vision for mobility solutions will be accelerated by the acquisition of ThinkSmart enabling customers to analyse location data from wireless networks and provide insight that can be used to drive new commercial opportunities and enhance end-user experiences."
"The acquisition of ThinkSmart reinforces Cisco's commitment to deliver an intelligent network by providing customers with enhanced tools, such as location analytics, that increase the value of the network."
Once the acquisition closes – which is expected in the first quarter of 2013 – ThinkSmart will become part of the wireless networking division at Cisco.
We asked what would happen to current employees of the firm, but
Cisco has not responded to Computer Weekly's request for comment as to what would happen to current employees at ThinkSmart Technologies.
ThinkSmart is the sixth acquisition made by Cisco this year, despite announcing in July that it would cut 1,300 jobs comprising roughly 2% of its workforce.
