3Com Announces Network and Service Management Strategy for Service Providers - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Feb 14, 2000

3Com Corp. Monday outlined its strategy for delivering carrier-class network and service management solutions designed to reduce e-Network operating costs for service providers while allowing them to generate more revenue by offering new enhanced services.

The CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System is a key component in 3Com's CommWorks architecture, the company's versatile solution for migrating today's analog networks to next-generation, packet-based converged e-Networks. The CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System delivers a management application that will:

-- perform operations efficiently on networks of thousands of devices;

-- interface smoothly with existing Operational Support Systems (OSSs) to automate business functions; and

-- provide a service oriented view of the network.

"Service providers who are expanding their portfolio of offerings and extending the 'reach' of their network are looking for a solution that simplifies their network management and operations support systems," said Irfan Ali, senior vice president and general manager, 3Com Carrier Systems.

"Our CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System meets their requirements by providing a solution that can reduce their operating costs while at the same time, enhances their ability to generate new revenues."

Using a fully featured network management framework as its basis, the CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System will play a leading role in service providers' operations. The CommWorks 5000 system integrates its network management functions with service management systems to enable network operations center (NOC) staff to conduct bulk network management functions in a cost-effective manner.

In addition, the system will give service providers the ability to generate additional revenues by enabling them to deploy services more rapidly, manage service level agreements more efficiently and by providing the tools upon which to offer managed network services offerings to their customers.

The CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System resides in the second, or center tier of the three-tier 3Com CommWorks architecture. The first and second tiers of the CommWorks architecture address universal connectivity requirements, including signaling protocol mediation.

The third tier enables flexibility in service customization by offering interfaces for application and service development. Placing the CommWorks 5000 system in the center tier highlights the critical role performed by the management system in mediating between service management, provisioning and assurance operations and the underlying network elements over which services are provided.

As part of its strategy, 3Com Monday also announced it is teaming with TCSI Corp. (Nasdaq:TCSI), a leading provider of software for the telecommunications industry. Under terms of the agreement, 3Com will license TCSI's Catalant network management technology for use in the CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System.

Key features and benefits of the 3Com CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System include: -- rapid service provisioning and automated service assurance through integration among systems;

-- ability to integrate in a bi-directional manner with customer care systems;

-- integrated bulk element management designed to reduce cost of operations;

-- ability to add support for other vendors' equipment on a customized basis; and

-- scalability for service providers of any size, small or large.

The initial product offering of the CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System will support remote access and IP telephony services. It is expected to be available in the third quarter of calendar year 2000. Wireless data access and cable access services are planned for future modules.

With over 300 million customer connections worldwide, 3Com Corp. connects more people and organizations to information and each other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers e-Networking solutions through information access products and network systems to enterprises, small businesses, consumers and network service providers. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.> Note to Editors: 3Com and CommWorks are registered trademarks of 3Com Corp. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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