While the need is there and the successful ecosystems exist, there are key challenges why the model of Wi-Fi isn’t open.
The Wi-Fi access point space, similar to the pre-Android era is driven by a single vendor. The hardware, the base operating system, and the applications (if any) are provided by a single vendor. This creates a very closed ecosystem with no possibility to expand.
Most networking products of the day were conceptualized and created at least a decade back. A lot has changed since then. Providing an expandable ecosystem requires immense computer power, intelligence and automation driven by machine learning. All of these are only available on the cloud technologies of the day.
The base of any open ecosystem is its APIs. The right APIs open the system, integrate, and exchange the data seamlessly and securely. Most systems lack the API ecosystem or are installed in-premise which makes it difficult to integrate without compromising security and ease.
Wikipedia defines Software-defined networking (SDN) technology as an approach to network management that enables dynamic, programmatically efficient network configuration in order to improve network performance and monitoring, making it more like cloud computing than traditional network management. The focus has shifted from the hardware capabilities but towards that of software.
Along with the robust development platform, Ray provides developers with a matching ecosystem which helps them generate the ROI and create a reach beyond the traditional distribution models.
Owing to the customer type and the network location, Ray holds very priceless enterprise data. While apps provide additional functionality, it cannot be at the cost of customer privacy.
Ray ensures stringent compliance when it comes to security and privacy by controlling the app permissions and ensuring all the apps go through rigorous testing and review before they are released in the app store.
Ray designed the UX to enhance the application discovery and customer experience for the customers. The customers can enable a time limited trial of the application ensuring they can try the features before they purchase. The applications have an open review system to provide feedback to the developers and to help customers make the right choice.