3Com Makes Major Product Push

3Com made company history Monday when it released its largest set of
commercial networking products to date.

The new products leverage the most important developments in the
networking marketplace today, according to Bruce Claflin, 3Com’s president
and chief operating officer. “These include Web-based business operations,
convergence of voice, data and video, and wireless networks to increase
people’s mobility, he said.

The new products, devoted to four arenas: Gigabit Ethernet, voice/telephony,
wireless and Web enablement, are aimed at a market that is projected to grow
from $4 billion this year to close to $10 billion by 2002, Claflin said.

“The new Gigabit Ethernet, Web-enablement, telephony and wireless solutions
position 3Com strongly for this surge in commercial market growth,” he
said.

Gigabit Ethernet: The SuperStack 3 Switch 4900 is designed to
provide high-performance Gigabit Ethernet — over either conventional copper
wiring or fiber — and Layer 3 switching, explained Anthony Petrucci,
company spokesperson.

“The SuperStack 3 Switch 3300s are six new, easy-to-use models of
stackable 10/100/1000 Mbps switch offering industry-leading
price-performance,” he said. “The product offers higher networking
performance while allowing companies to break through the barrier of cost.
The products sell for 30 to 50 percent lower than competitive products.”

Web Enablement: The company’s new line of Web-enablement products
offer Web caching, content switching and firewall security, according to
Petrucci.

“The Web caching speeds the Internet for enterprising purposes,” he said.
“The products offer easier deployment in both a small or large Web network.
A load balance feature allows programs to run continually without
interruption, even if a server goes down.”

Telephony: 3Com has added multiple language support to its NBX
Communications System. “This takes our services global,” said Petrucci. “Our
automated attendant brings the right language to the right country. This
creates a simpler deployment of telephone moves, adds or changes,” he said.
“Also, the phone and data can be run over the same system, which converges
cost savings and easier administration.”

Further, through an alliance with marchFIRST, SuperStack and NBX
technologies have formed a multi-media contact center solution for
businesses with small and medium-sized call centers that integrate phone,
fax, Web and email communications to improve customer service.

Wireless: A suite of Bluetooth wireless access point, PC Card and
USB Adapters has been announced. “These products are the foundation of a new
generation of conference room and personal connectivity,” said Petrucci. “By
using these devices, you become connected easily and wirelessly.”