Tell us about Cohesive Networks. When was the company founded and what was the driving force?
Cohesive Networks' parent company joined TechNexus at the outset of its collaborative workspace business in 2006. Originally involved in high speed securities and futures order routing, we were actively engaged in the AWS pilot. We began developing the first ever virtual network appliance to address our own needs for more flexibility and tighter security. By 2014 we had sold other parts of our business to focus on the growing virtual appliance business. A great story for our fellow TeamWorking entrepreneurs, don't listen to the cruft from established players in your space - "No one is ever going to use a VM to do networking." "The subscription model will not work for complex enterprise licensing." "A land & expand sales strategy - what's that?"
Your website reads "..Cohesive Networks team has been at the forefront of building core infrastructure for the future with a focus on connectivity and security." Tell us more about what that means and why it's important.
Security has always been a concern, but risks and almost daily headlines are more than even we predicted. We entered the Virtual Networking Appliance driven by prospective customers asking for help with a Networking Magazine article explaining how we build the first version of what is today VNS3. Cohesive Networks licenses fleets of VNS3 controllers, which are basically routers / firewalls, but able to leverage the features of public cloud provider such as AWS and Azure.
What does the next 5 years look like for Cohesive Networks?
Public Cloud computing -- government sponsored hacking -- the SaaS business model (key segment for Cohesive Networks) are all target to have accelerated growth. Version 6 of our product leverages open source (sure bet to be more save/secure) cryptology, the latest advances in Linus networking, and offers features not available from our much larger and less agile competition. Our plan is to grow even faster in the next five years. Oh, and yes, we have a few longer term irons warming up in a fire.
What role does community play in the work that Cohesive Networks does?
Cohesive Networks funding is heavily Chicago based. We are quick to point out our Mid-western work ethic. Cohesive Networks has been successful because of relationships developed through the TechNexus & TeamWorking community. We have champions met along the way who have brought us in to multiple customer as they move through their careers. Community is a very cost-effective marketing strategy. And you get to know some great talent.
Tell us a fun fact about your career as a Founder!
This July 25 was my 75th Birthday. The year-long celebration continues, it is not too late to track me down to share a beverage, and talk the good old days when...
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