3Com Corporation extends leadership over Cisco, Intel
and Bay Networks in workgroup ethernet LANs
Technology publisher CMP ranks 3COM as one of the three strongest brands
in channel and enterprise markets
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1997--Global data networking leader
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS), continues to extend its market share leadership in the
desktop networking marketplace, gaining significant ground on rivals Cisco, Intel and Bay Networks
according to the latest market research published by The Dell'Oro Group.
3Com's increasing dominance in the networking marketplace reinforces the success of the
company's Transcend (TM) Networking framework (scaling the performance, managing the growth
and extending the reach of networks) in meeting the needs of end users worldwide. Further evidence
of 3Com's leadership position is revealed by the results of a brand survey conducted by technology
publisher CMP, indicating that 3Com is one of the three strongest brands in channel and enterprise
markets, alongside Microsoft and Hewlett Packard.
3Com's award-winning SuperStack(TM) II stackable system now has over 20 million networked
users worldwide. These include over 2.7 million users of SuperStak II switches, which offer optional
migration paths to higher performance Gigabit Ethernet and asynchronous transfer mode backbone
networks. By continuing to deliver new technologies in its market-leading SuperStack II system,
3Com has established an aggressive strategy to maintain its number one position in the workgroup.
3Com's success in growing its Fast Ethernet network interface card (NIC) market is due to
customer adoption of 3Com's industry-leading Fast EtherLink(TM) and Fast EtherLink XL network
interface cards and 3Com's innovative DynamicAccess(TM) features. 3Com's growth in the
Ethernet NIC market is the result of continued customer loyalty of the EtherLink III and EtherLink
XL family of products.
Dell'Oro Group Market Share Study Shows 3Com Leading the Way in Workgroup LANs
Specific worldwide results for the first three months of 1997
include the following:
10/100 Mbps NICs: 3Com shipped 1,278,000 Fast Ethernet NICs, 75% more than the number of
NICs shipped by chip maker Intel in the same time period and a 94% increase over the number of
NICs 3Com shipped in the last three months of 1996.
10Mbps Managed Hubs: 3Com continued to grow market share leadership to 37% over double the
percentage share of its nearest rival, Bay Networks.
100Mbps Shared Hubs: 3Com increased market share to 26%, more than 50% higher than its
nearest rival Bay Networks, with Intel declining from 13% to 10% market share.
100 Mbps Switching: 3Com is demonstrating growth at 92% in this sector ahead of industry growth
at 40% -- the vendor with the leading market share increase over the previous quarter.
10 Mbps Desktop Switching: 3Com maintains market leadership in this sector with 39%
marketshare, ahead of Cisco at 27%.
3Com: Winning by a Landslide
``3Com has been voted number one by its most important audience -- customers -- and it looks like
we've won by a landslide,'' said Doug Spreng, executive vice president of 3Com Interface Products.
``But now isn't the time for 3Com to rest on its laurels. 3Com will continue to focus on building the
next generation of network solutions. By developing the industry's most innovative data networking
systems, we continue to give our customers a productive and competitive business advantage.''
``3Com has earned its position as one of the top three brands in the enterprise and channel markets
through hard work on many different fronts,'' said Janice Roberts, senior vice president, marketing.
``3Com delivers innovative products through award-winning channel programs supported with
superior customer service. It is this unique combination that wins high profile customers and puts
3Com shoulder-to-shoulder with Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.''
3Com Sweeping Awards from Network Computing, Network Magazine and PC Computing
Besides being the networking products more businesses count on than any other, 3Com products
continue to sweep important editorial awards. PC Computing has chosen 3Com's Fast EtherLink
XL PCI 10/100 network interface card as the best LAN adapter and has put it on the magazine's
``A'' list of products. Profiled in its May 1 issue, Network Computing's Product of the Year awards
mark the year's best hardware and software products as chosen by the magazine's technology and
contributing editors. This year it singled out the AccessBuilder 5000. According to the magazine, the
awards honor ``the two products you shouldn't network without.'' The industry's only remote access
product with a multi-segment LAN backplane, 3Com's AccessBuilder 5000 provides high-density
dial-up remote access to enterprise resources, offering support for hundreds of simultaneous branch
office and remote workers.
At the recent N+I trade show, Network Computing honored 3Com with
three Well-Connected Awards:
Best Enterprise Remote Access -- 3Com AccessBuilder 5000 remote
access LAN/WAN switch
Best Stackable Hub -- 3Com SuperStack II hub 100TX
Best Workgroup Switch -- 3Com SuperStack II desktop switch
In a separate ceremony, 3Com received Network Magazine's Product of the Year Award for the
SuperStack II Switch 3000. At Networld+Interop, Network Magazine presented 3Com with its
Product of the Year award in the Workgroup Switches category for the company's SuperStack II
Switch 3000. Selected by the magazine's editorial team in recognition of ``genuine creativity,''
Network Magazine commended 3Com's Fast Ethernet switching solution for high performance and
a stackable form that ``provides great installation and flexibility.'' |
