Open Cloud lands telco deal

By RICHARD WOOD

Software development firm Open Cloud has struck a deal with Nasdaq-listed BEA Systems to offer a solution for handling telecommunications network logic.

The Wellington company's Rhino software handles the operation of telecommunications networks at their core, and has been in development for three years.

David Long, business development manager, said the opportunity arose with BEA because of convergence between data and voice in the telco arena.

"As networks converge you want to be able to do new and innovative services that use your browser and your telephone.

"An example might be a web-based conference calling facility where you can take minutes on the web. As you take the notes it's indexing that for later recall."

Rhino will be sold as a solution integrated with BEA's WebLogic Service Delivery software and offerings from other unspecified global firms.

The target market is tier-one telco carriers, but Open Cloud and BEA will be working through service providers, system developers and integrators to provide the system as a total solution.

Long would not comment on whether Telecom New Zealand is showing interest in the system.

Open Cloud has 10 staff, with one in Britain. It has received funding from Industry New Zealand and Technology New Zealand.