Irvine-based networking gear maker Lantronix Inc. has released its first product under the leadership of new Chief Executive Kurt Busch.
The company launched a patent-pending external print server last week that’s compatible with Apple Inc.’s iPads, iPod touch, iPhone and other devices running the Cupertino-based company’s mobile operating system.
The plug-and-play product allows users to access printers remotely at work and at home for wireless printing, potentially opening up new growth markets. The xPrintServer supports thousands of printers from the likes of HP, Brother, Epson, Canon, Dell, Lexmark and Xerox.
Analysts estimate more than 73 million people worldwide are iPad owners, with more than half using the device for business purposes.
“The proliferation of iPads and iPhones in the corporate world has yielded a potentially tremendous opportunity for providing an easy printing solution for enterprise-class printers, free of hassles associated with today’s work-around solutions,” Busch said.
The number of tablet owners is projected to eclipse more than 900 million by 2015, according to Stamford, Conn.-based market tracker Gartner Inc.
Lantronix’s print server, which costs about $150, is expected to begin shipping in the first quarter. It will be sold directly by the company and also through online retail sites and big-box stores.
The design and product launch is the first under Busch, who was hired in August to solidify the management ranks and cut costs in a bid to regain profitability.
Investors welcomed the news, pushing shares up more than 30% last week to a market value of about $26 million.
Lantronix makes electronic devices and software that allow medical equipment, security devices, smart meters, motor vehicles, thermostats, retail terminals and ATMs to communicate securely online. Competitors include Alabama-based Avocent Corp. and Digi International Inc. in Minnesota.
The company will showcase the xPrintServer in January at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Smart-Card Readers
An Israeli unit of Identive Group Inc. has shipped an additional 122,000 smart-card readers to the Spanish government as part of a multi-year deal intended to provide every citizen there with a national identification card.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Santa Ana-based company has been supplying smart cards to Spain since late 2009. The government has been encouraging citizens to get the cards for security purposes, as well as financial, administrative and other social services.
About half the country’s population of some 46 million people has ID cards, which allow users to digitally sign documents and transfer other information.
Identive received the recent order for its eID readers from an agency within the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, through its distribution partner Algoritmos Procesos y Disenyos.
The company has benefited from new demand in the public and private sector for gear to curb security breaches at businesses, schools, government buildings and others.
Identive is often the company behind the technology in identification cards, biometrics systems, tokens and mobile phones that allow users to access buildings and computers, make electronic payments and safeguard intellectual property. The company sees about $96 million in annual revenue and earned the No. 3 spot on this year’s list of fastest-growing public companies based in Orange County.
Acquisition Report
Irvine-based chipmaker Broadcom Corp. may be eyeing Israel for another acquisition.
The company has reportedly signed a letter of intent to purchase Israeli networking and embedded processor developer Broadlight Ltd. for more than $200 million, according to daily business site themarker.com.
A Broadcom spokesperson declined comment.
The companies have been linked since 2004, when Broadcom made an investment into Broadlight, which makes processors that speed delivery for central office and customer-provided equipment. Broadcom is a frequent acquirer, and its ties to Israel run deep.
This year, it acquired Tel Aviv-based SC Square Ltd. for $42 million for its software that secures payments made on cell phones. That followed a $313 million buy of Provigent Inc., a maker of chips for wireless network operators that allow for the transfer of voice, data and video signals from cellular base stations to their main network.
Other recent Broadcom buys in Israel include Percello Ltd. for $86 million and Sightic Vista Ltd. for an undisclosed amount.
Talk of the deal for Broadlight comes as Broadcom is expected to wrap up a $3.7 billion deal for Netlogic Microsystems Inc. in Santa Clara, which is expected to close in the first half of next year (see related Preview 2012 item, page 9).
