3Com Achieves No. 1 Position in Small Business Retail Router Market;
OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem Fastest Selling Small Office Router
BW - 11:04 a.m. Feb 22, 1999 Eastern
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999--Continuing to
successfully develop alternative sales channels supporting its lead in the small and
medium enterprise networking market, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today
announced dramatic sales growth of its award-winning OfficeConnect(R) ISDN LAN
Modem for small offices. According to leading research firm PC DATA, Reston,
Virginia, the OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem was the number one selling ISDN
router in the U.S. retail channels in 1998. The OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem was
the preferred small office ISDN router solution in the retail channel every quarter in
1998, culminating an overall 27 percent market share for the calendar year 1998.
The company's top position was recorded by PC DATA's ongoing tracking service,
which collects sales-out data of computer and networking equipment in a variety of
channels, including retail, distribution and reseller.
"3Com is a consistent leader in retail networking products," said Stephen Baker,
Senior Analyst at PC DATA. "Its leadership in an emerging category like ISDN LAN
Routers is further confirmation of the company's strength." OfficeConnect ISDN LAN
Modem: The Reviewer's Choice
Since 1997, the OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem has achieved recognition for its
performance, ease-of-use and value, receiving awards from leading U.S. trade
publications including Internet Magazine, PC Computing, and Computer Shopper.
Independent reviewers of the OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem have responded
enthusiastically to the performance benefits of 3Com's market leading ISDN router.
"3Com has really paid attention to its target market and has designed a tool to make the
non-technical user in need of connectivity and speed look like an expert." Computer
Reseller News Online, July 19, 1998
"I really liked the OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem, and it's the first time I've
harboured such warm feelings about a router. Not only is it cheap and easy to install
and use, but it works well, too. For the small branch office, the OfficeConnect ISDN
LAN Modem is an excellent turnkey system" Roger Gann, Internet Magazine, October
1998
"Overall, the 3Com OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem delivers an excellent all-around
package at a bargain price." c/net, May 1998
"Behind this friendly face is a serious router that provides rich features and smooth
fault-free operation." PC Magazine, May 26, 1998 OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem:
The Preferred Small Business Routing Solution
The OfficeConnect LAN Modem is now available in either ISDN or standard V.90
56K(a) analog. Ideal for price-conscious, non-technical, small business or remote
small office users, it lends itself to retail, small business reseller distribution and
bundled service and product solutions offered by Internet service providers. Resellers
and consultants have been swift to recommend the OfficeConnect LAN Modem to their
small business customers.
"Our small business clients look to us to install networking equipment that works well
consistently and is transparent to them. 3Com's OfficeConnect LAN Modem is
successful in this scenario because it is so simple to configure and use and has a price
point that small businesses can afford today and leverage in years to come." Philip
Lines, vice president, Millennia Integrated Solutions, a small business IT consulting
firm in San Diego, CA
"We're pleased to bundle 3Com's new OfficeConnect hardware with our LAN ISDN
Internet access offering. It really integrates easily with our service and it allows us to
offer a simple, turn-key solution to our business customers." Bill Greene, director of
corporate and channel sales, EarthLink
The OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem provides shared, high speed Internet access
over ISDN for small businesses and home offices. The OfficeConnect LAN Modem
simplifies networking for a complete and cost-effective small business solution by
integrating a four-port Ethernet hub for linking computers on a LAN, an Internet
Protocol (IP) router, two analog voice/fax ports and an ISDN BRI interface.
The OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem is part of the award-winning OfficeConnect
family of integrated products sold through 3Com's small business reseller network and
retail and catalog channels and designed to reduce the complexity of building and
running local and wide area networks for small businesses. With over 30 products, the
OfficeConnect family includes easy-to-use hubs, switches, routers, LAN modems,
print servers and remote access devices. Pricing Information
The OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem is available for US list price $499 and the
OfficeConnect 56K LAN Modem is available for US list price $349. About 3Com
Corporation
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more
people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com
delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large,
medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and
consumers. 3Com -- More connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's
World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at
3com.com.
Copyright 1999, Business Wire
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