We've been watching NetClarity for some time. In our view, this company is among the most innovative we've seen, both in technology and marketing. It always is tough for a smaller company to capture a market, but when the market is fairly crowded it is even harder. NetClarity has mixed innovative technology with a unique brand of distribution.

From a technology vision perspective, these guys seem to be able to scan the horizon and figure out what the next big challenge to network access control is going to be. Then they figure out how to add a solution to that challenge into their products, usually in such a way that users don't have to replace the box. Sometimes, though, the company doesn't stop there. The visionaries at NetClarity think up new and useful additions to NAC that their competitors haven't considered and add them in too.

We have said before that the combination of marketing and technology is the key to success. NetClarity has pioneered such things as implementation in under an hour, Ethernet switch management by the NAC using 802.1q, and a few other neat innovations - all the while keeping the price accessible for organizations of all sizes. Their big innovation, of course, and the one they are best known for, is their agentless architecture.

But the company also has innovated in the ways that it takes its products to market. How do you address a large global market with a very small sales force? You leverage your efforts with other organizations. In this case, NetClarity has taken the route of depending on a layered approach of distributors and their own sales force, plus some OEMs. That really is nothing new. What is unique is the success that the company has had internationally.

With a well-developed distribution network, the company has been able to weather economic downturns. Playing the economies of the world that are, usually, out of synch with each other NetClarity has always found a ready market somewhere in the world. In fact, there are NetClarity deployments in 40 countries besides the United States.

Finally, NetClarity is not afraid to license technology. With 12 patents and more pending, they certainly have enough of it to license. We selected NetClarity largely for its innovative approach to technology, but its go-to-market strategy is pretty creative as well. Overall, a well-rounded innovator.

AT A GLANCE

Flagship product: NACWall

Vendor: NetClarity

Cost: $995 and up depending on size

Innovation: Largely technology - NetClarity's true agentless deployment

Greatest strength: Ability to leverage products, technology and marketing into a relatively recession-proof mix without sacrificing new technology development