Newbridge becomes three-handed affair

Networks Separate units to strengthen focus on target customers.

Newbridge Networks has split into three dedicated units focusing on switching, access and IP/internetworking products, a month after a former senior Compaq employee was brought in to overhaul the company.

Each of the units will have its own R&D and product marketing organisations.

The networking vendor said the move will enable it to focus on three target customer groups - incumbent telcos, newly launched operators and corporates.

Alan Lutz, Newbridge president and former Compaq senior vice president and general manager, communication products group, said: 'Our decision to move from a single, large R&D structure into three smaller, more nimble product groups with well-defined and highly focused business charters, will enhance our focus on market segments that we can defend vigorously.'

The switching unit will be responsible for Newbridge's Main Street range and the Main Street Xpress 36170 multiservices switch, which was co-developed with Siemens. The access business will incorporate Newbridge's broadband wireless and digital subscriber line (DSL) technologies.

The vendor's IP and internetworking arm will market its Vivid switch router product, plus its IP telephony, video and remote access services offerings. The division will also house Newbridge's alliance with 3Com in the IP area and its Lan products from the UB Networks acquisition.

Each of the units will focus on all the customer sectors where they have appropriate products. Telcos and operators make up about 70 per cent of business and the balance comes from enterprise customers, calculated John Everard, president of the Emea region. He said the ratio could be 50:30:20 in the future.

Lutz joined Newbridge in June, replacing Peter Charbonneau, who was promoted to vice chairman of Newbridge with responsibility for developing business relationships. The vendor is also on the lookout for a global marketing chief.