Since 2001, the domestic telecommunications industry has been very concerned with next generation networks (NGNs), which use packet-type communications from subscriber terminals to switchboards, integrating cable networks with wireless ones. The implementation of NGN seems inevitable in the future, especially for communication service providers. In this situation, NGN equipment started to localize in 2003 and competition among domestic NGN equipment manufacturers has become fierce. Xener Systems has stuck to its focus as an NGN specialist from the beginning.
by Lee Kwang - jae, Reporter / voxpop@ittimes.co.kr
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In March 2002, the company changed its name from Xener.com to Xener Systems and began full-scale business, supplying picture phone systems to SK Telecom, constructing VoIP service systems for SK Netsgo, Samsung Networks, SK Telink and Hanaro Telecom, and providing VoIP solutions to Kumho Tire. In 2003, the company began to make inroads into overseas markets, supplying VoIP service systems to Satelindo in Indonesia.
Based on a correct understanding of market needs and technical development, the company implemented services in large-scale commercial communication networks, developing the whole product line of the NGN from softswitches to large-capacity gateway solutions with in-house technologies.
Xener Systems has continuously invested in the development of key technologies including protocol stacking and duplication applications. Making efforts to meet the needs for the expandability, stability and compatibility of its products, the company provides a total solution to implement services customers demand.
The company is developing excellent reliability for special communication service providers, Internet service providers and general companies. Through strategic partnerships with global telecommunication equipment manufacturers, the company is making inroads into overseas markets to realize its vision as the global NGN solution leader.
Beginning with 11 employees, the company has grown to 110. The company boasts of top technological competence as the R&D department takes over 60 percent of the total human resources of the company. R&D staff members each have five to 13 years of experience in their special fields. The company began to realize sales revenue in 2002, when it recorded $6.26 million in sales.
Xener achieved $8.7 million in 2003 and this year the company has a sales target of $17.4 million.
"Xener Systems has suffered every problem which can appear with the growth of a company," said Kang Yong-gu, CEO of Xener Systems. "But the problems we experienced were just a rite of passage. We successfully overcame all of them to take off."
With in-house technologies, the company developed a "call control system" for IP network-based voice communication, "media processing systems" to deliver voice calls through different media and "service and application systems" to integrate diverse multimedia services and applications in the NGN environment. In addition, the company possesses the optimum NGN solutions including IP-based class 4/5, enterprise IP telephony, multimedia service and security solutions.
The company says that it has the best technological competence in the world in such fields as picture phones, unified service platforms, packet telephony for all IP and large-capacity packet telephony.
In 2003, the company secured such customers as KT, SK Telecom, LG Telecom, Hanaro Telecom, Samsung Networks, SK Telinks, Cyberpass, ICN Telecom, Voicall, Good Telecom, Kumho Group, KOiS, and ISPs and ASPs. At present, Xener Systems has made partnerships with such domestic companies as ITian, Innet, S-net, Mercury and UDS in the carrier and enterprise markets. In overseas markets, the company secured such partners as PT Sisindosat in Indonesia, and Top Tier, Syscom and Sysco in Taiwan.
Recently, the company reformed its structure and moved its office to expand its business in the second half of this year. Xener Systems set up a new marketing division, and segmented its existing business division into a network backbone business, corporate customer business, consulting business and overseas business to strengthen its response by market segment. In addition, the company further strengthened the R&D center for technology development. The change in the structure was intended to provide a stable system to make strong footholds in future NGN markets.
Changes were also made in its business structure. Getting out of the simple VoIP equipment businesses on which the company had focused, Xener Systems recently entered the NGN solution business full-scale while preparing an IP-PBX business to make inroads into corporate markets. This year, the company has already launched IP-PBXs to expand its sphere from telecommunications companies to general firms. Encouraged by its projects with Indonesian customers, the company plans to place more efforts on developing overseas markets by targeting Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. Additionally, the company is going to supply its NGN solutions to China on the OEM basis.
The company is going to participate in "Busan ITU Telecom Asia 2004" to be held in September this year to present its technologies and know-how and help promote the image of the domestic IT industry.
Xener Systems said it would maintain its first intention to become the best NGN solution provider in Korea. The company believes that the NGN market will grow rapidly in the future, concurrent with the Internet telephone market which is expected to go full-tilt from the end of this year.
