By Richard Martin

Extending its product range into small businesses and contact centers, Acme Packet today introduced a new initiative to allow competitive service providers to embed Acmes software-based session border controller (SBC) in an array of infrastructure elements. Called Powered by Acme Packet, the new OEM software solution encompasses IP PBXs, UC servers, multi-service business gateways, firewalls and routers.

Designed to fit IP communications applications previously not accessible to Acmes SBC line, The new product offering, the Net-Net OS-E SBC, allows for Acme Packet to drive expansion of its addressable market and extends its competitive lead via new product introductions, wrote Avian Securities analyst Catharine Trebnick in a research note. Built around Linux kernel, the Net-Net OS-E controller operates in virtual machine environments from VMware and Xen and will run on a variety of Intel x86-class hardware platforms, the company said in a statement.

One OEM embracing the new line is Avaya, which today said its Aura 6.0 enterprise communications platform will include a white-label version of Acme Packets technology, called the Aura SBC. The 6.0 version of the Aura suite includes enhanced contact center, conferencing, messaging, presence, and session manager capabilities as well as the 9600 line of IP desk phones in addition, to the SBC from Acme. Providing SIP-based UC connections, the SBC enables 750 simultaneous SIP sessions.

Acme, which one year ago acquired Convergence Inc., a developer of SBC software, has enjoyed strong growth as both enterprises and service providers, migrating to IP networks, invest in software and equipment to manage IP sessions across network borders. The vendors share price has soared 135 percent since the start of the year.

In the first quarter of 2010, the companys revenue climbed 65 percent from the same period a year ago, while profits were up nearly 200 percent, at $8.3 million.