The worlds of networking and communications are changing rapidly. Voice, video and data applications and networks are converging. The amount and importance of content are growing, in no small part due to social networking and the rise of the app store. Mobility has moved center stage for both consumer and business users. And cloud computing is starting to take off.

All these factors mean we’re moving into an environment in which users can communicate and access content and applications anywhere at any time with any device. And all of the above indicates that, going forward, enterprises, their service providers and vendors are going to have to collaborate more than ever before. Charlie Vogt, GENBAND (News - Alert) president and CEO, delivered that message Wednesday to the ITEXPO East 2011 audience in Miami during his afternoon keynote address.

Vogt said that collaboration among these stakeholders will help all of the above entities make sure that they can meet and exceed the next generation of customer expectations.

For enterprises, he said, the biggest trends are around mobile integration and trying to understand the applications that are going to drive business going forward, and how those applications will best be served.

Vogt also noted that another big trend we’re seeing is around the cloud. That involves both traditional service providers and outfits like Amazon and Google offering software, storage and infrastructure as a service. Of course, this spans the interests of enterprise customers, service providers and network equipment suppliers.

GENBAND had $730 million in revenues last year and expects to grow that 15 percent in 2011, said Vogt. It’s built its business both through both organic growth and acquisition.

The company earlier this year announced its acquisition of Cedar Point Communications (News - Alert), which has7.5 million lines in service globally. It sells the SAFARI C³ Multimedia Switching System, a SIP-based VoIP switch that is compliant with CableLab’s PacketCable specifications and popular with the cable TV companies.

GENBAND has done a number of acquisitions over the past few years. That includes purchasing NextPoint Networks in the fall of 2008, Tekelec’s Switching Solutions Group in April 2007, Nokia Siemens (News - Alert) Networks’ Surpass IP trunking gateway product lines in April 2008, and both BayPackets Inc. and the Digital Central Office business of Siemens Networks LLC in late 2006. However, what really helped move GENBAND to the next level was its recent purchase of Nortel’s (News - Alert) Carrier VoIP and Application Solutions Business, a deal it closed on May 28.

The centerpiece of GENBAND’s product portfolio is an IP platform called GENiUS. With GENiUS, GENBAND executives explain, the company is delivering an open, standards-based architecture that will help carrier customers simplify their networks. 

The first products based on this new blade-based platform are the C20 (the softswitch from Nortel CVAS formerly called the CS 2000) and the S9 security gateway (which GENBAND introduced on an ATCA-based platform about a year ago, but which now has been adapted to run on the CVAS middleware).

Want to learn more about the latest in communications & technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2011, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.