Reinventing Home and Office WiFi with Cloud Networking

OVERVIEW

PowerCloud Systems was incubated and spun out from PARC with the goal of reinventing how WiFi is enjoyed in our homes and offices. Leveraging existing knowledge and patents at PARC, the teams began working to develop and commercialize a novel cloud-managed networking technology.

OBJECTIVE

Commercialize a novel cloud networking technology
With Wi-Fi and WiFi-connected devices increasing in popularity in the mid 2000s, it was clear there was an opportunity for a more reliable, secure, easier-to-enjoy experience for multiple connected users. PARC had existing mesh networking patents and wanted to explore developing an enterprise or consumer product from this technology. When they hired Jeff Abramowitz, a pioneer in wireless networking, as a consultant in 2007, he worked with a team at PARC to explore the idea.

WHY PARC?

Existing patents, knowledge and spinoff experience
PARC had existing IP in simple, secure networking and mesh technology, as well as the proven environment to incubate innovation. PARC researchers also contributed expertise in user experience and ethnography. Based on results from Jeff and the team’s early work, PARC began officially funding the project in 2008. “The different disciplines at PARC foster a special creativity that is particularly good for startups trying to innovate and out-pace larger companies,” says Jeff. Additional hires were made and soon prototypes were built and patents on cloud management and cloud-managed device security were written. By 2010, PowerCloud had spun out with venture funding, while remaining located at PARC.

SOLUTION

PowerCloud Systems, acquired by Comcast in 2014
PowerCloud Systems was the first true cloud-managed networking company, enabling Networking as a Service (NaaS). The company designed and manufactured cloud-powered WiFi systems for businesses and then turned its attention to consumers. Its Skydog® Unified Services Platform allowed users to easily monitor, manage and optimize connected devices in the home, and even, for example, control internet access for children. In 2014, PowerCloud Systems was acquired by Comcast. The technology which powers their Xfinity® xFi® product suite, enabling “the ultimate home WiFi experience,” leverages the technology invented at PARC and developed at PowerCloud Systems.

RESULTS

A technology used in Comcast Xfinity XFi products
Since 2017, Comcast has deployed the cloud-managed networking technology to more than 15 million consumers via its Xfinity® xFi® product suite.  The technology and concepts incubated and spun out from PARC reinvented how WiFi is enjoyed in the homes and offices around the world, and continue to be essential in the growth of the WiFi industry.

Commercialize a novel cloud networking technology

With Wi-Fi and WiFi-connected devices increasing in popularity in the mid 2000s, it was clear there was an opportunity for a more reliable, secure, easier-to-enjoy experience for multiple connected users. PARC had existing mesh networking patents and wanted to explore developing an enterprise or consumer product from this technology. When they hired Jeff Abramowitz, a pioneer in wireless networking, as a consultant in 2007, he worked with a team at PARC to explore the idea.

Existing patents, knowledge and spinoff experience

PARC had existing IP in simple, secure networking and mesh technology, as well as the proven environment to incubate innovation. PARC researchers also contributed expertise in user experience and ethnography. Based on results from Jeff and the team’s early work, PARC began officially funding the project in 2008. “The different disciplines at PARC foster a special creativity that is particularly good for startups trying to innovate and out-pace larger companies,” says Jeff. Additional hires were made and soon prototypes were built and patents on cloud management and cloud-managed device security were written. By 2010, PowerCloud had spun out with venture funding, while remaining located at PARC.

PowerCloud Systems, acquired by Comcast in 2014

PowerCloud Systems was the first true cloud-managed networking company, enabling Networking as a Service (NaaS). The company designed and manufactured cloud-powered WiFi systems for businesses and then turned its attention to consumers. Its Skydog® Unified Services Platform allowed users to easily monitor, manage and optimize connected devices in the home, and even, for example, control internet access for children. In 2014, PowerCloud Systems was acquired by Comcast. The technology which powers their Xfinity® xFi® product suite, enabling “the ultimate home WiFi experience,” leverages the technology invented at PARC and developed at PowerCloud Systems.

A technology used in Comcast Xfinity XFi products

Since 2017, Comcast has deployed the cloud-managed networking technology to more than 15 million consumers via its Xfinity® xFi® product suite.  The technology and concepts incubated and spun out from PARC reinvented how WiFi is enjoyed in the homes and offices around the world, and continue to be essential in the growth of the WiFi industry.