Mako Networks appliance receives design award

Cloud-based network management company Mako Networks has received a bronze award for its Mako 6500 network appliance in the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards.

It may seem unusual for a security appliance to win an award for design, but the Auckland-based company says it deliberately developed the device as a stylish yet fit-for-purpose platform, in partnership with design studio creativelab Limited.

Murray Knox, R & D director for Mako Networks, says the Mako 6500 has been a ‘paradigm shift’ in the design of Mako’s products.

"We will continue to incorporate its emphasis on secure simplicity into our future products,” Knox says.

"The 6500 has set the baseline for future innovation in the company.”

Peter Haythornthwaite of creativelabs says the design had to address demanding technical criteria, as well as installation, service and end user requirements.

"This project was the first ground-up, new product development by Mako,” Haythornthwaite says, "and served to demonstrate... the capability of sound design solutions to communicate company values and product benefits.”

Go here to see the other design award winners, or here for more on Mako Networks.