Smith Micro Software

Smith Micro Software, Inc., founded in 1982 by William W. Smith, Jr., is a developer and marketer of both enterprise and consumer-level software and services. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Smith Micro maintains multiple domestic and international offices. United States locations include Aliso Viejo, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. International offices are located throughout Europe and Asia. Currently, the company focuses on digital lifestyle solutionsTemplate:Solution-inline and security technologies, and is integrated into the evolving wireless media industry, as indicated by partnerships with cellular service providers such as Verizon Wireless,[1] AT&T,[2] and Sprint Corporation,[3] now owned by T-Mobile US after the Sprint & T-Mobile merger in April 2020.

Smith Micro Software, Inc
Public
Traded asNASDAQSMSI
Russell Microcap Index component
IndustrySoftware
Founded1982
Headquarters
Key people
William W. Smith Jr.
Chairman and CEO
RevenueIncrease US $51.3 million (2020)
Number of employees
402 (2021)
ParentColart
Websitehttp://www.smithmicro.com

Corporate history

Smith Micro's initial focus was on dial-up modem and fax software technology, distributing predominantly to OEM computer software/hardware manufacturers. Smith Micro established an IPO in 1995, and became publicly traded in the NASDAQ under the symbol SMSI. Initial stock values were approx. $12.75 per share.[4]

As the company entered the 90's, dial-up internet was quickly being replaced by cable internet, DSL, and wireless broadband due to substantially higher speeds and increased reliability. This change led Smith Micro to venture into wireless and mobile network software. Network connection management became an expertise of the company and, Smith Micro quickly developed products of interest to large-scale mobile network operators such as AT&T, Bell Canada, Orange, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Vodafone. While fax and modem-related products were still a part of their portfolio, the QuickLink Platform of wireless connection managers became a primary source of revenue in the early 2000s.

By 2005, Smith Micro acquired Allume Systems and their StuffIt data compression software. Soon after, Smith Micro acquired Israel-based image editing company, PhoTags. Smith Micro followed with two more acquisitions, (e frontier America and busineSMS.com Software.)[5] By acquiring these smaller companies, Smith Micro rapidly expanded its consumer business presence, however the company retained focus on network and wireless-related products.

In early 2008, the company began to expand its portfolio with the addition of wireless access and mobile services. Smith Micro introduced multiple solutions for enhanced mobile communications, such as push-to-talk software, visual voicemail services, and video streaming. Smith Micro also expressed interest in WiMAX broadband,[6] a newly developed cellular technology which was considered to be a 4G wireless protocol and the replacement of current 3G cellular systems.

In 2019, Smith Micro entered the retail technology space with its acquisition of ISM Connect, LLC’s Smart Retail product suite.[7] Most recently, the company has continued to expand its family safety business through the acquisitions of  Circle Media Labs’ operator business in February 2020,[8] and the Family Safety Mobile Business of Avast Software s.r.o in April 2021.[9]

Products

Family safety

  • SafePath
    • SafePath Home
    • SafePath IoT
    • SafePath Family

Communications

  • CommSuite VVM (Visual Voicemail)
    • CommSuite VTT (Voice to Text)
    • CommSuite Cloud
    • CommSuite Caller

Smart Retail

  • ViewSpot
    • ViewSpot Studio (Retail Display Management)
    • ViewSpot Dynamic Pricing Portal
    • ViewSpot Retail Analytics

Software

  • GIMP
  • Inkscape
  • MyPaint
  • Pencil2D
  • Synfig
  • Cinema 4D
  • Poser
  • Garry's Mod
  • Source Filmmaker
  • Moho (software)
  • Manga Studio
  • Clip Studio Paint

Major acquisitions

Acquisition date Company Business Country Value (USD)
July 2005 Allume Systems Software / Data compression   United States $11 million
April 2006 PhoTags Software / Image editing   Israel $6 million
December 2007 e frontier America Digital distribution / Graphic design   United States --
February 2007 Ecutel Software, wireless   United States $8 million
January 2008 PCTel Wireless Software / Wireless   United States $59.7 million
December 2008 MxPlay Software / Multimedia   United States --
September 2009 Core Mobility Software / Wireless   United States $20.2 million
July 2016 iMobile Magic Software   Portugal $2.2 million
January 2019 ISM Connect Software / Multimedia   United States $9 million
February 2020 Circle Media Labs Software / Multimedia   United States $13.5 million
March 2021 Avast’s Family Safety Mobile Business Software   United States $66 million

References

  1. Verizon Wireless Chooses Smith Micro Technology to Support New VZAccess Manager
  2. Smith Micro to buy PCTEL unit for $59.7 million
  3. Sprint's Safe & Found App Powered by Smith Micro's Family Location and Parental Control Platform
  4. Google Finance Chart: SMSI
  5. Smith Micro Announces The Acquisition Of busineSMS.com Software
  6. Smith Micro Teams Up to Maximize WiMAX User Experience
  7. "Smith Micro Completes ISM Connect Acquisition - socaltech.com".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. "Smith Micro buys the operator business of Circle Media Labs".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "Smith Micro Software acquires Avast's Family Safety Mobile business to expand market growth".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)