3Com Corp. Launches Consultant Connection - program for network consultants - Company Business and Marketing

ENT, August 18, 1999 by Thomas Sullivan

3Com Corp. created the Consultant Connection program to offer network consultants tools for designing, implementing and supporting mission- critical enterprise networks. The new program offers IT network consultants access to detailed information about 3Com's products and services, end-user case studies, vertical industry solutions, training options and product support.

The Consultant Connection is a special interest group within the 3Com netWorking Partners program, which provides resources to distributors, VARs, ISPs, integrators and consultants. 3Com expects 2,000 network consultants to enroll in the Consultant Connection in the next few months.

"We are providing consultants with not only success stories and solutions, but we are also giving them the hard data that demonstrates how enterprise customers are saving money without losing network performance," says Carlene Chmaj, manager of 3Com's Consultant Connection Program.

Participants in the Consultant Connection have access to an array of information tools, including presentation libraries, competitive product databases and product comparison spreadsheets. Other resources include sales contacts, proposal builders, technology briefs and white papers, bulk literature ordering services, vertical marketing solutions, telebriefings and online technical support.

Benefits specifically customized for consultants include a personalized information package, regular communication through e-mail updates, bimonthly product and news bulletins, channel programs and product promotions, Web-based 3Com Radio broadcasting and invitations to events, seminars and trade shows. Consultants also will receive discounts on 3Com education, training and accreditation programs.

"High performance networking is an extremely competitive, rapidly moving market. What we do is add value by providing consultants with strategic information to compete and to demonstrate the value of using 3Com's products throughout the enterprise," Chmaj says.

Recent industry reports from International Data Corp. (www.idc.com) project network consulting to grow about 16 percent to a $25 billion market worldwide by 2003. 3Com's Consultant Connection, which is only offered to consultants in the United States, will be expanded in the coming months to markets worldwide. IDC says critical issues such as network security, low-cost Internet access, e-commerce and network implementation are driving the growth for network consulting.

3Com's Consultant Connection is located on the Web at www.3com.com/ partners/consultants.