Nakina Systems Inc. ("Nakina"), a provider of multi vendor security and element management solutions to network operators worldwide, today announced it has launched a comprehensive solution for the management of IPTV infrastructure. The solution covers management of network devices that range from core optical networks through to the next generation of broadband FTTx/GPON edge technologies needed for service activation.

According to Infonetics Research, worldwide IPTV service revenue will grow to more than $44 Billion by 2009, with the number of IPTV subscribers worldwide to exceed 53 million. Nakina's IPTV solution helps service providers enter this market far more rapidly by providing a consistent user interface and set of procedures that apply equally across all hardware systems in the network. Nakina's approach helps carriers overcome the problem of inadequate element management systems (EMSs) that sometimes accompany otherwise strong hardware solutions.

"Service providers are rushing to get their IPTV offerings to market, but their efforts are often hampered by EMS problems," said Mary O'Neill, vice president of market development at Nakina. "Another of their frustrations is not always being free to select the best hardware systems because some vendors haven't had time to build a proper EMS solution for their networking devices. Nakina helps bridge that gap by offering service providers an independent solution that manages all IPTV networking systems."

Nakina's strength in its early years as a management software vendor was in the optical arena, covering DWDM and SONET/SDH technologies. It has leveraged that strength for advantage in providing an end to end solution that now covers emerging technologies related to GPON/FTTx, with common user interfaces and procedures for all equipment.

"Hardware vendors are moving quickly to get their latest offerings to market, in some cases leveraging OEM agreements to do so," explains Jean Laliberte, director of business solutions at Nakina. "Keeping software release cycles aligned with those of the core product isn't always easy. Nakina's solution offers an alternative - one that levels the playing field in the large, multi billion dollar RFPs we're beginning to see issued by service providers."

Nakina will be showcasing its IPTV offering at TeleManagement World 2006 conference and exhibition in Nice, May 1518, as an integral member of the Swisscom IPTV Catalyst Project demonstration.