Recently TMC (News - Alert) CEO Rich Tehrani sat down and spoke with Xirrus’s CEO, Dirk Gates.

Xirrus provides Wi-Fi networks, and in March, according to TMC’s Carolyn J. Dawson, Xirrus implemented ManageEngine’s (News - Alert) network traffic analysis and forensics software, NetFlow Analyzer, to ensure smooth operation of its Wi-Fi networks.

As the only Wi-Fi Power Play provider in the wireless industry, Xirrus can “efficiently replace the enterprise wired Ethernet network into Wi-Fi primary network connection,” according to company officials.

Gates spoke about the “continuing, exploding growth” of Wi-Fi, calling tablet computing the driving force behind the incredible growth. Gates talked about Wi-Fi replacing Ethernet in the enterprise, saying more and more devices are wireless now, in education and the enterprise. Students leaving college and entering the workplace “expect to have the same Wi-Fi coverage” that they got used to in college, Gates said.

Gates said businesses need to be able to support their employees’ Wi-Fi expectations, and discussed ways companies are meeting that need to attract and retain desired employees.

Xirrus serves a wide range of industry verticals such as education, healthcare, government, hospitality and manufacturing, Dawson noted, adding that Xrrus Wi-Fi Arrays provide connectivity which also prove to be network tools for various high profile events, “where poor network performance can lead to negative perceptions among event attendees.

“It’s somewhat sad to think today,” Gates said, how much Wi-Fi is still being deployed “one or two radios at a time. Taking home technology and trying to deploy it in the enterprise with some software.” Gates says using Xirrus technology, you can deploy up to 75 percent fewer devices -- much faster, too.

Gates and Tehrani discussed what the explosion of tablets in the market -- over 100 million, with smartphones, with all the flash traffic putting strain on access points due to their mobility. Gates discussed how that challenge is being addressed in the enterprise today, and the progress the company’s making in the next couple years.