History
Aricent was created in 2006 when private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), Sequoia Capital, and other investors combined the former Hughes Software Systems/Flextronics Software Division with frog design, bringing together deep domain expertise in communication technologies and software engineering with product design and user experience capabilities.
The vision behind the company was to connect a strong pedigree in product design and user experience (frog) with deep domain expertise in communication technologies and top-quality software engineering talent (Aricent) to create the new category of an innovation services company - as a go-to strategic partner for companies that invest in connectivity-enabled products and services.
Over the last four years, we have delivered a variety of highly innovative solutions across the entire communications ecosystem and in adjacent verticals - from chipsets and devices to high-performance network equipment and back-end systems. The company now has 10,000 employees in 36 locations, serving a client base that spans the entire telecommunications ecosystem (including leading communications service providers, equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, and device makers) as well as Fortune 500 brands that are innovating in industries such as healthcare, energy, finance, retail, and media.
frog - Design and Innovation Services
frog is known for its ability to envision and design new products, services, and experiences. Founded in Germany in 1969, frog (formerly called frog design) has its roots in industrial design. It collaborated with Apple in the early 80's on the iconic “Snow White” design language for the Apple IIc and Apple Mac. Later, frog expanded into brand, strategy, interaction and software design, and worked with Sony, Disney, HP, Yahoo!, Lufthansa, Motorola, and many other consumer and high-tech brands on industry-changing innovations. frog has a staff of 1,600 strategists, designers, and engineers in 15 locations across the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It provides the Aricent Group with creative vision, end-user focus, and insights into emerging consumer behavior, industries, and technologies.
Formation of the Aricent Group
In 2011, the company was renamed the Aricent Group and positioned itself as a provider of innovation services for the connected world. The change in brand reflects the current landscape of client demand for a strategic focus on innovation. The Aricent Group comprises of three major offerings: Product Engineering Services, Carrier Services and Solutions, and frog. The Aricent Group name serves as the corporate brand for the company, with product innovation and design offerings marketed under the frog brand, and R&D engineering and carrier services marketed under the Aricent brand. The brands will each maintain their own client base and continue collaborate in situations where clients can benefit from the Aricent Group’s full breadth of capabilities.