Long considered just security solutions or solutions for "dealing with" high-volume XML processing, infrastructure appliances are finally being seen as credible deployment options for end users (for internal deployments, such as connectivity and operations among multiple satellite offices) and independent software vendors (ISVs) — that is, XML firewalls, service-oriented architecture (SOA) governance and instances of packaged integration. There have been significant enhancements to hardware, middleware, software and surrounding services from appliance vendors. This will enable appliance users to more easily support software as a service (SaaS), shared-service and high-performance environments.

• Infrastructure appliances will be a means by which ISVs of all sizes offer SaaS in cloud computing.
• SaaS and shared-service environments will demand high-performance, multitenancy virtualized environments that are supported by most infrastructure appliances.
• The use of appliances is increasing among end users.
• Appliances are an alternative delivery model to licensed software and SaaS for complex software functionality.

• Consider infrastructure appliances to support acceleration, security, parsing and content-based routing.
• Be aware that deploying technology on an appliance is not just about preconfiguring hardware and software. It may involve supplying a multitenant environment, virtualization and various maintenance and support services.
• Be aware that infrastructure appliance vendors have expanded their focus to support other disciplines and the hosting of third-party applications not designed to work in a hosted environment.
• Use this research to learn about vendors that offer products to address these concerns.

This research does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Infrastructure appliances have been around for more than 10 years, providing benefits primarily to security teams needing locked environments. Most appliances also support acceleration, security, parsing and content-based routing. However, deploying technology on an appliance is not just about preconfiguring hardware and software. It can involve supplying a multitenant environment, supplying virtualization and, most importantly, supplying the various maintenance and support services a company typically expects when it buys technology.

Infrastructure appliance vendors have expanded their focus to support other disciplines and even to support the hosting of third-party applications that may never have been designed to work in a hosted environment. The two vendors in this research offer products that address these concerns and focus on the deployment of the hosted application or middleware.

NEI (formerly Network Engines), Canton, Massachusetts, USA (www.nei.com )

Analysis by Frank Kenney

Why Cool: NEI is a technology provider that offers hardware, middleware and all necessary support and maintenance to enable ISVs to deliver solutions via an appliance. NEI focuses on the continuous life cycle of the appliance, including deployment, support and maintenance, and upgrades/patch management, as well as on assisting application vendors with go-to-market models that are affected by offering an appliance. NEI also focuses on virtual appliances, which can reduce costs as more instances of the appliance are needed, such as in a multitenant or hosted environment.

NEI has successfully implemented technologies for various disciplines, including multienterprise collaboration (business to business), security and system management. One of the better-known infrastructure appliances based on NEI technology is the Covast BBot solution. This solution relies on NEI for appliance technologies and logistics support. BBot customers have NEI send appliances to their customers' (hubs) suppliers, then download predefined configurations based on the hub's configurations.

NEI maintains significant technical relationships with Microsoft and the Linux community, which allow smaller ISVs to quickly deploy appliance-based solutions without the need for dedicated resources. NEI can also help companies with their go-to-market strategy because it is critical to reflect messaging that an appliance deployment doesn't necessarily detract from customization. For many ISVs, sales cycles involving appliances will be shorter because the overall costs (including deployment and professional services) will be lower than their software-based counterparts.

Challenges: As with many appliance vendors, NEI has dedicated storage, security and communication offerings that have been successful. This can make it difficult for NEI to penetrate higher organization levels, including enterprise architects, integration specialists and SOA project managers focusing on infrastructures for SaaS and shared services. NEI also is competing against other deployment mechanisms, such as SaaS and low-footprint endpoint software.

Who Should Care: Business application managers deploying infrastructure for SaaS and shared services should consider hosting these applications on an appliance.

Solace Systems, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (www.solacesystems.com )

Analysis by Frank Kenney

Why Cool: Application as a service (AaaS) continues to grow in importance, and many companies are looking to software vendors and external service providers for business solutions. Traditionally, solutions offered as SaaS must be multitenant for security and distinction. The appliances from Solace Systems provide a high-performance infrastructure capable of enforcing thousands of content-based and topic-based workflow rules. This enables AaaS providers to offer business applications and middleware in an AaaS model supporting multitenancy with high-performance content routing.

Solace offers the ability to install multiple modules in one appliance for additional functionality, including high-performance content-based routing, messaging, security and transformation. Additional multiple instances of these modules can be used for business continuity and performance. Because messages, transactions and files can be routed dynamically, Solace is helpful in scenarios where multiple users are using applications hosted in an AaaS environment. Solace also works with integration vendors, such as Tibco Software, enhancing message-oriented middleware.

Solace has a flexible and customizable appliance where modules can be added for performance or additional functionality. Solace's marketing emphasizes easier deployment, customization and partnerships with various vendors and communities. This has separated the company from many appliance vendors selling security, acceleration or XML parsing. Solace also has expertise and an installed base in the telecom, financial services and content delivery markets.

Challenges: As with all infrastructure appliance vendors, Solace Systems must broaden its message to capture customers from a variety of markets, industries and disciplines. The market for infrastructure supporting AaaS is an exceptional opportunity.

Who Should Care: Integration specialists, process developers, architects and systems administrators should consider Solace Systems.

This research is part of a set of related research pieces. See "Cool Vendors 2008: Innovation From Around the World" for an overview.