QUEBEC CITY, April 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EXFO Inc. (Nasdaq:EXFO) (TSX:EXF) announced today the launch of EXFO Connect, a suite of cloud-based software applications designed to interoperate with EXFO's large established base of smart test platforms, transforming independent instruments into productive solutions. EXFO Connect helps network operators deal with the increasing complexity of network deployments and maintenance, while facing the growing pressure to accelerate and reduce the cost of such deployments.
Designed around the specific needs of installation and maintenance teams who are looking to significantly reduce the operational costs of managing their test equipment, as well as to maximize the value of their test results, EXFO Connect initially offers two core applications.
The first application, Test Equipment Manager, addresses challenges that network operators face as they need to manage on a daily basis large pools of test equipment in the field. Test Equipment Manager provides EXFO smart test platforms with automatic software upgrades, instrument maintenance, distribution of test configurations, accurate asset inventory and more, to ensure process compliance and that all configurations are up-to-date and consistent throughout the entire equipment pool.
The second application, Test Data Manager, allows customers to take advantage of the investment they made in generating test data by providing a highly automated, secure and centralized environment to view or generate reports on historical test data quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, delivered as a cost-effective cloud-based software service, EXFO Connect simplifies implementation and eliminates the need for local server installation or maintenance.
"Network operator executives and managers worldwide have come to EXFO to help solve their most critical issue—increasing network capacity to meet explosive bandwidth demands while reducing operating expenses, eliminating unnecessary truck rolls and minimizing training time," said Germain Lamonde, EXFO's Chairman, President and CEO. "Our response has been two-fold. First, to bring an ecosystem of smart, Windows-based, modular test platforms (FTB-1, FTB-200 and FTB-500) that evolve with future operators' needs by running generic or specific software applications. Second, to connect these smart platforms together through the revolutionary EXFO Connect solution to address a number of specific productivity issues, automation requirements, remote test applications and customer support issues." Furthermore, Mr. Lamonde added, "The end-result is that through EXFO Connect, EXFO is transforming simple test boxes into an integrated series of solutions that help network operators increase operating efficiency and reduce operating expenses by delivering automation and intelligence to the test and measurement components of their operations."
For more information about EXFO Connect, please visit www.EXFO.com/EXFOCONNECT
About EXFO
Listed on the NASDAQ and TSX stock exchanges, EXFO is among the leading providers of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireless and wireline network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks—from the core to the edge. Key technologies supported include 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Ethernet, OTN, FTTx, and various optical technologies (accounting for an estimated 35% of the portable fiber-optic test market). EXFO has a staff of approximately 1700 people in 25 countries, supporting more than 2000 telecom customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.EXFO.com.
EXFO Brand Name
The corporate name of the company is EXFO Inc. The company requests that all media outlets and publications use the corporate name ("EXFO Inc.") or abbreviated name ("EXFO") in capital letters for branding purposes. EXFO would like to thank all parties in advance for their cooperation.