Cisco Systems calls its new branch-office approach "WAAS"--wide-area application services. It's the stuffing together of tools for application acceleration, network optimization, file services and traditional routing all in one box, so that branches can require fewer on-site servers for software and storage. Mostly it's built with parts from the $82 million acquisition of Actona Technologies in 2004. Another part is a module that connects the WAAS system into high-end routers in data centers. WAAS starts at $8,500 for the branch portion, available now, and $4,000 for the connector, due later this year. Expect me-too news from Cisco's rivals.

For more on WANs:
- read this CRN article