Siemens and 3Com to Roll Out Stackable Solutions for Voice and Data
10:11 a.m. Mar 09, 1998 Eastern
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 1998--
Strategic Alliance Delivers New, Converged Communication Systems
for Lowest Cost of Ownership and Increased Business Performance
Siemens AG and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today announced the next
steps in their strategic alliance with a roadmap of new product developments that
will deliver the industry's first stackable networking solutions for converged
voice/data networks. Designed to meet the needs of enterprise users, these new
solutions will lower the cost of ownership of voice and data business communication
systems. In a related announcement today, the two companies unveiled their joint
plans to introduce a leading-edge convergence solution for network service
providers - the industry's first multi-services central office switch. First Stackable
Solutions for Voice and Data
The new stackable solutions to be introduced by 3Com and Siemens under their
own brand names, will include leading-edge data and voice communication
components such as: -- an H.320/H.323 real-time communication gateway, enabling
voice
and video communication between devices connected to IP and
telephone networks; -- a communication server based on Siemens' Hicom
technology,
offering advanced telephony features and support for computer
telephony integration (CTI);
switches equipped with standards-based IEEE 802.1p traffic
prioritization software, enabling class-of-service for real-time
communication such as H.323 voice and video conferencing.
The products to be made available this year will provide significant customer
benefits such as: -- Reduced communication costs for voice and data for businesses
-- One communication and wiring center for all voice and data needs -- Ease of
integration -- One vendor contact for service and support of integrated
voice/data solutions -- Guaranteed interoperability of voice and data
communications
between Siemens Hicom and 3Com LAN equipment -- Access to ISDN/PSTN
services such internet access from any PC
connected to the LAN -- Support for enhanced "voice plus data" applications such
as CTI
(with application-based dialing, automatic display of
caller-related information on the PC-screen) and and H.323-based
multimedia conferencing including NetMeeting
These new product developments confirm the commitment made by 3Com and
Siemens to leverage the benefits of IP technology in the converging voice/data
markets. Under the terms of their alliance which was announced in 1997, 3Com
and Siemens are delivering systems that offer the highest level of voice and data
convergence. The innovative systems packaging will lower the cost of ownership of
enterprise networks and enable advanced applications that allow users to achieve
competitive advantage through increased business efficiency. The new product
development roadmap for CY98 is as follows:
Q2CY98: Siemens to market LAN products under their own brand name based on
3Com's SuperStack II and CoreBuilder technology including the Super Stack II
Entry Level Hub; PS Hub 40 and 50 and the CoreBuilder(TM) 3500 Layer 3
high-function switch solution. These products will be displayed on the Siemens
stand at CeBIT, Hanover, Germany 19-25 March 1998.
Q3CY98: As part of the stackable solution, 3Com and Siemens will deliver a new
H.320/H.323 communication gateway. Q3CY98: Siemens to market 3Com's
SuperStack II Dual Speed Hub 500, Switch 1100 and 3300 switches under the
Siemens brand name.
Q4CY98: 3Com to market a stackable, Hicom-based communication server under
the SuperStack II brand name.
"With the new, class-of service-enabled Ethernet products, voice/data integration
including real-time communication over IP networks has now become reality", said
Karl-Joachim Veigel, president of Siemens Network Systems Division.
"Our alliance with Siemens is already achieving its first results, enabling 3Com to
enter new markets in voice and data convergence", said Ron Sege, senior vice
president 3Com Enterprise Systems. "Our new stackable solution for enterprise
customers will deliver the industry's most cost-effective, IP-based business
communications systems."
"The ability to guarantee high quality of service for mission critical telephony
transmissions over IP networks is a fundamental criterion for the convergence of
voice and data. In bringing their core competencies together, Siemens and 3Com
will allow users to maximize the full potential of their supporting communications
infrastructures and network services to achieve lower cost of ownership." said
Terry Wright, market analyst Dataquest.
3Com and Siemens also announced today further plans for voice and data
convergence (See March 9 press release entitled, "3Com Corporation And
Siemens Public Communications Networks Integrate Internet Gateway With Digital
Switch To Produce First Ever Multi-Service Central Office Switch."). Today's
announcements confirm the July 9, 1997 commitment made by the two companies
to leverage the benefits of IP technology in the converging voice/data markets for
both enterprise and public network markets. About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate
and share information and resources at anytime from anywhere. As one of the
world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology,
3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million customers
worldwide. The company provides enterprises, network service providers and
carriers, small businesses and customers with comprehensive, innovative
information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and
high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit
3Com's World Wide Web site at 3com.com, or the press site at
3com.com. About Siemens Private Communication Systems
Group
The Siemens Private Communication Systems Group (PN) is one of the world's
largest providers of communications solutions for companies and private customers.
With a market share of 12 percent PN is the global leader in communication
systems and ranks third in the terminals business. With around 34,000 employees,
PN sales reached approxi-mately DM11.1 billion in fiscal 1996/97 (30 September).
For more information please visit our Web site at siemens.de.
3Com and SuperStack are registered trademarks and CoreBuilder is a trademark
of 3Com Corporation. All other brands and names are the property of their
respective owners. Hicom is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. (See also:
businesswire.com)
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