Developing an appliance-based software solution can be difficult. The process requires hardware design expertise to be successful. So when Lightspeed Systems decided to create a new, highly advanced line of Bottle Rocket appliances, they sought the help of an systems integration partner. Lightspeed’s Bottle Rocket is a stand-alone network appliance that provides web filtering for small and medium-sized school IT systems. It is Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)-compliant and purpose-built for interoperability and performance with legacy IT systems. Moreover, Bottle Rocket needed to meet demanding internet filtering requirements and offer IT administrators a single point of management.
Faced with the many challenges of creating an appliance solution, Lightspeed Systems knew they needed the expertise of a leading systems integration partner and a suite of services to ease the deployment and management of their award-winning Web Filter software. They turned to NEI knowing they could not spend several months in the design and development phases. They knew that NEI’s unique solution design and systems integration methodologies would help them get to market quickly, and it did.
The appliance features Lightspeed Systems’ Web Filter software, which is preloaded on NEI’s S-1200 R3 platform, a plug-and-play device ready for installation and seamless operation with existing school IT network systems. The platform uses Intel’s Xeon Sandy Bridge microprocessor, which allows the appliance to be scalable and provides the speed necessary to reduce data rate latencies.
Lightspeed Systems plans to launch two more models of its web filter for schools later this year. Partnering with NEI to deliver those appliances, Lightspeed will be able to launch their product on a reliable platform using the most cost-effective design possible. And since the deployment platform has already been developed for the first version of Bottle Rocket, future models will be able to be delivered to customers even faster.
How did they do it?
NEI used its Lifecycle Engine for Application Deployment (LEAD) model to develop and deliver the Bottle Rocket appliance to the marketplace in less than sixty days. The LEAD model is designed to help software vendors develop a competitively-priced appliance solution while meeting their manufacturing window. The comprehensive LEAD model provides design and engineering services to the customer including lifecycle optimization consideration during appliance development, application management through proprietary software, comprehensive logistics and inventory management services, full manufacturing and integration capabilities, and support and maintenance well beyond application deployment.
Contact NEI online or by calling (877) 792-9099 to learn more about how an appliance platform can simplify software installation challenges, improve manageability, increase availability and accelerate time to value. Working with NEI to build your solution allows you to focus on your core competency and reduce costs.