| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Traded as | NASDAQ: SMSI |
| Industry | Computer Software, Networking |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Aliso Viejo, CA |
| Key people | William W. Smith Jr. Chairman and CEO |
| Revenue | $98.4 million[1] USD (2008) |
| Net income | $3.16 million[2] USD (2007) |
| Employees | 558 (2011) |
| Website | http://www.smithmicro.com |
Smith Micro Software, Inc., founded in 1983 by William W. Smith, Jr., is a diversified developer and marketer of both enterprise and consumer-level software solutions and services. Though headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, Smith Micro maintains multiple domestic and international offices, with US locations in Mountain View and Watsonville, California, Chicago, Illinois, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as international locations in Europe and Asia. Recently, the company has shifted focus toward network connection and security technologies, and begun forays into the evolving wireless media industry, as indicated by major partnerships with cellular service providers such as Verizon Wireless,[3] AT&T,[4] and Sprint Nextel.[5]
Contents |
In the company's early days, Smith Micro centralized its product focus on dial-up modem and fax software technology, distributing predominantly to OEM computer software/hardware manufacturers. By the early 90s, the company had become one of the leading names in its industry niche. With an IPO in 1995, Smith Micro became publicly traded in the NASDAQ under the symbol SMSI. Initial stock offering values were approx. $12.75 per share.[6]
By the late '90s, dial-up internet access was being replaced by broadband technology, due to the substantially higher speed and reliability it afforded. This change led Smith Micro to re-apply its network connection expertise to new, wireless and mobile network software. Network connection management became a specialization of the company and, as such, Smith Micro developed products of interest to large-scale mobile network operators such as AT&T. While fax and minor modem-related products were still being sold, wireless connection manager technology was the company's primary source of revenue in the early 2000s.
In 2005, Smith Micro moved to expand its consumer product line with the acquisition of Allume Systems and their StuffIt data compression software. Shortly after the acquisition of Allume Systems, Smith Micro further expanded its market presence with the purchase of Israel-based image editing company, PhoTags. Following these and other acquisitions (e frontier America)[7] and (busineSMS.com Software)[8] Smith Micro expanded its overall consumer business presence, though retained a central focus on network and wireless-related products. In early 2008, the company expressed interest in WiMAX broadband,[9] a newly developed cellular technology, typically considered to be a 4G wireless protocol, and a candidate for the replacement of current 3G cellular systems.
Connectivity and security
Server and device management
Mobile convergence
Multimedia
Graphics and utilities
| Acquisition date | Company | Business | Country | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2005 | Allume Systems | Software / Data compression | United States | $11 million |
| April 2006 | PhoTags | Software / Image editing | Israel | $6 million |
| December 2007 | e frontier America | Digital distribution / Graphic design | United States | -- |
| February 2007 | Ecutel | Software, wireless | United States | $8 million |
| January 2008 | PCTel Wireless | Software / Wireless | United States | $59.7 million |
| September 2009 | Core Mobility | Software / Wireless | United States | $20.2 million |