Cisco to Acquire Wireless Smart Grid Company Arch Rock
Posted in Smart Grid on September 3rd, 2010 by News Desk –
San Jose, Calif. – Cisco, the Internet technology company, has agreed to acquire Arch Rock, a privately held, San Francisco-based developer of wireless IP technology for smart grid applications. The acquisition complements the recently announced strategic alliance between Cisco and Itron to develop products that enhance smart-metering technology, Cisco said.
Founded in 2005, Arch Rock offers technology that allows utilities to connect smart meters and other distributed intelligent devices over wireless mesh networks. The company’s investors include New Enterprise Associates, Shasta Ventures, and Intel Capital.
Arch Rock is attributed with being a leader in developing an Internet protocol-based standard for smart grid applications that is an alternative to the ZigBee system for wireless home area networks. As a result of running on IP standards, which already are in pervasive use, Arch Rock’s technology is considered far more “extensible” than the less widespread ZigBee standard.
“This acquisition further positions Cisco (Nasdaq:CSCO)as a strategic partner to utilities working to better manage power supply and demand, improve the security and reliability of energy delivery, and optimize operational costs,” said Laura Ipsen, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Smart Grid business unit, in an announcement.
The deal is expected to close sometime before the end of this year, after which time Arch Rock team will become part of Cisco’s smart grid business unit. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
