Birdstep Technology

Birdstep Technology was established in Oslo in 1996 as a developer of embedded database systems. Its initial business belonged to the software infrastructure field: embedded databases are designed to operate within devices or specialized applications, where compactness and dependable data handling are important. From this foundation, Birdstep expanded into mobile networking, first moving into Mobile IP and later into software for managing connections across wireless networks. The company's development was supported by acquisitions and the combination of several businesses and product capabilities. The resulting organization included the original Birdstep Technology activities as well as operations associated with Alice Systems, Aramova Inc., and SafeMove. This broadened the company's scope from database technology to Smart Mobile Data and Secure Mobility. Its intended customers were telecommunications operators, enterprises, and government bodies that needed mobile users and devices to maintain access while moving between wireless networks. Birdstep became a publicly traded company on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2002 under the symbol BIRD. The company was headquartered in Oslo and was described as having competence centers in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This geographic structure supported an international software business even though the company originated in Norway. In 2009, Birdstep made a significant portfolio decision by spinning off its original database business. The move left connection management and related mobile technologies at the center of the company's strategy. Birdstep's Smart Solution Suite represented this later focus, bringing together components intended to support wireless connection management, mobile data access, and secure mobility. The company subsequently reshaped its product ownership. In 2015, it sold the SafeMove Mobile VPN product line to Bittium Oy. Bittium continued to offer the product as Bittium SafeMove, meaning that the technology remained commercially available under a different owner and brand. The sale reduced the scope of Birdstep's direct secure-mobility portfolio while transferring an established product line to a company active in secure communications. In 2016, Smith Micro Software acquired Birdstep Technology AB, identified as the software-development and marketing arm of Birdstep Technology ASA, for $2 million. Smith Micro incorporated elements of Birdstep's Smart Solution Suite into its NetWise platform. NetWise was positioned around wireless connection management, big-data analytics, and credential provisioning and management. The transaction connected Birdstep's technology with Smith Micro's broader mobile-network software portfolio and appears to have been the last major corporate event described in the supplied reference material. The available sources do not clearly document Birdstep Technology's present corporate structure, standalone operations, or whether the original listed entity remains active. Accordingly, historical facts such as its Oslo Stock Exchange listing and its international competence centers should not be treated as evidence of current operations.

• 2016

  Smith Micro acquires Birdstep Technology AB

  [1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Smith Micro Software acquired Birdstep's software-development and marketing arm for $2 million and integrated Smart Solution Suite components into NetWise.

• 2015

  SafeMove product line is sold

  [1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  The SafeMove Mobile VPN product line was sold to Bittium Oy, which continued to market it as Bittium SafeMove.

• 2009

  Database business is spun off

  [1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Birdstep separated its original database business and focused the company on connection-management solutions.

• 2002

  Listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange

  [1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Birdstep Technology became listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker BIRD.

• 1996

  Birdstep Technology is founded in Oslo

  [1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  The company was established in Oslo, Norway, initially developing embedded database systems.

Enterprise and infrastructure software provider focused on smart mobile data, wireless connection management, and secure mobility for telecommunications operators, enterprises, and government organizations.

• Database software

  Embedded database systems

  Birdstep's original product area consisted of embedded database technology. These systems were intended to provide data-storage and data-management functions inside devices or specialized software applications. The database business formed the company's initial identity before being separated in the 2009 strategic reorganization.

• Mobile connectivity software

  Smart Solution Suite

  Smart Solution Suite was a group of Birdstep software components supporting connection management and smart mobile data use. Its capabilities were later integrated into Smith Micro's NetWise platform, where they contributed to wireless-network connection management, analytics, and credential-related functions.

• Secure mobility software

  SafeMove Mobile VPN

  SafeMove Mobile VPN was Birdstep's secure-mobility product line for maintaining protected mobile communications and connectivity. Birdstep sold the line to Bittium Oy in 2015, after which Bittium continued marketing it under the Bittium SafeMove name.

• Wireless networking software

  Mobile IP and connection-management solutions

  Birdstep expanded from embedded databases into Mobile IP and software for managing connections across wireless networks. These technologies supported the company's later Smart Mobile Data and Secure Mobility proposition for operators, enterprises, and governmental organizations.

• 2016

  Acquisition by Smith Micro SoftwareM&A

  Background

  Birdstep Technology AB served as the software-development and marketing arm of Birdstep Technology ASA.

  Action taken

  Smith Micro Software acquired Birdstep Technology AB for $2 million and incorporated Smart Solution Suite components into NetWise.

  Aftermath

  Birdstep's technology became part of Smith Micro's platform for wireless connection management, big-data analytics, and credential provisioning and management.

  Acquisition price. $2 million transaction (2016)

  Source

• 2015

  Sale of the SafeMove Mobile VPN product lineM&A

  Background

  SafeMove was part of Birdstep's secure-mobility portfolio.

  Action taken

  Birdstep sold the SafeMove Mobile VPN product line to Bittium Oy.

  Aftermath

  Bittium continued selling the product as Bittium SafeMove.

  Source

• 2009

  Focus shifts from databases to connection managementStrategy

  Background

  Birdstep had originated as an embedded-database developer but had expanded into Mobile IP and wireless connectivity.

  Action taken

  The company spun off its original database business and concentrated on connection-management solutions.

  Aftermath

  Birdstep's strategic identity became centered on Smart Mobile Data and Secure Mobility rather than embedded databases.

  Source

• 2016

  Smith Micro Software acquires Birdstep Technology AB[1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Smith Micro Software acquired Birdstep Technology AB, Birdstep Technology ASA's software-development and marketing arm, and integrated Smart Solution Suite components into its NetWise platform.

• 2015

  Birdstep sells SafeMove Mobile VPN product line to Bittium[1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Birdstep completed the sale of the SafeMove Mobile VPN product line to Bittium Oy, which continued to market it under the Bittium SafeMove name.

• 2009

  Birdstep Technology spins off its original database business[1]Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Birdstep separated its original embedded-database business and concentrated its strategy on connection-management solutions.

1. 1Birdstep Technologyen.wikipedia.org