3Com to Demonstrate Next-Generation Networked Solutions at Marketechnics '98
New 3Com WAN Solutions Based on ATM Switching Technology Deliver Converged Networks to the Store -- Helping Supermarkets Transcend the Limitations of Today's WAN
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 1998-- 3Com Corp. (NASDAQ:COMS - news), the leader in providing networked solutions to retailers, will demonstrate state-of-the-art multiservice convergence technology -- supporting voice, video and data traffic over a single network to the store -- at the Marketechnics '98 retail conference in Los Angeles, Feb. 22 - 24.
Marketechnics is held annually to help retailers improve their enterprise through a better understanding of available and emerging technologies and applications.
During the conference, 3Com will demonstrate its next-generation multiservice networking technology that enables supermarkets to dramatically increase WAN (wide area network) performance and bandwidth while reducing costs by integrating voice, video and data communications. The 3Com retail solution, a replacement for today's separate voice and data WANs (frame relay, VSAT, and leased line), is designed to bring the supermarket enterprise into the next millennium by supporting bandwidth-hungry emerging multi-media and other data traffic intensive in-store applications.
Today, most supermarket chains and other large format store retailers have two separate and costly T1 communication links to their stores: one for data to access a long distance carrier's frame relay network, and the other dedicated to voice traffic. By replacing these separate services with a single ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) T1 line, the amount of WAN bandwidth available to support data and video applications is dramatically increased without increasing telecommunications costs.
Live Multiservice Convergence Demonstration
During Marketechnics, 3Com will be conducting a live multiservice demonstration of voice and data from headquarters to the store using the highly scalable AccessBuilder 9000 line of ATM WAN switches.
''Supermarkets have in many respects led the retail industry in the deployment of multimedia applications in-store, such as kiosks, computer-based training, video conferencing, and POS related functions such as produce identification,'' said Siegel. ''In addition, intranet enabled enterprise applications such as HR, e-mail, and decision support are further increasing the demand for WAN bandwidth.''
The 3Com multiservice WAN solution demonstration, when configured with carriers such as MCI, will dramatically improve a supermarket chain's ability to support ECR (efficient consumer response) and other critical business initiatives.
The trend toward multiservice converged networks has been building over the past year. An in-depth study of retailers' future networking plans, conducted by 3Com, indicated a sharp adoption of ATM network technology over the next several years, reflecting ATM's unique ability to support all types of network traffic with quality-of-service capabilities. The key findings from this study can be found at 3com.com.
Many retailers and hotel chains, including McDonald's, The Home Depot, Ross Stores, Harrods, Carrefour and Carnival Cruise Lines, have already deployed a 3Com ATM solution in their enterprise, either at the corporate office or in-store to dramatically boost networked application performance.
Symbol Technologies to Deliver Next-Generation Wireless Solution Based on Market-Leading Palm Computing Platform
3Com will also demonstrate its award-winning pocket-sized PalmPilot connected organizer during the conference. The Palm Computing platform is an open software architecture for handheld computing that provides an ideal basis for third-party developers to create innovative mobile computing solutions.
Symbol Technologies, the world leader in bar code-driven data transaction systems, recently announced plans to deliver a ruggedized spread-spectrum wireless version of the PalmPilot device designed for the demanding retail environment. Symbol has integrated its high-performance Spectrum24 wireless LAN technology and laser bar code scanning into the PalmPilot product for a cost effective and mobile data collection/data management customer solution for a number of markets.
PeaPod, the worldwide leader in online grocery shopping and delivery services, will demonstrate its new application based on the Symbol Technologies ruggedized PalmPilot device. PeaPod plans to use the application to increase operating efficiency and quality of customer service by automating its order fulfillment process.
As recently reported by Dataquest, the PalmPilot connected organizer currently holds 66% of the worldwide standard handheld computer market. Other Palm Computing platform OEM and licensing partners include IBM, which sells the IBM WorkPad PC companion into enterprise markets, and Qualcomm, the leader in CDMA technology.
3Com and XcelleNet Deliver Advanced Remote Systems Management Solution
XcelleNet will demonstrate its industry-leading RemoteWare suite of applications running on the NT based EdgeServer Pro card, integrated into 3Com's award-winning Total Control platform. By deploying RemoteWare on the integrated NT EdgeServer Pro card rather than on a standalone server, retailers benefit from improved security and network performance.
When combined with XcelleNet's RemoteWare, 3Com's award winning Total Control remote access concentrator, in use by over 1,000 internet service providers and major retailers such as McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Wal-Mart for traditional remote access applications, delivers enhanced functionality for the retail enterprise. The new solution combines XcelleNet's RemoteWare software, in use by hundreds of retailers for POS polling and remote store systems management, with the Total Control remote access concentrator's NT/dual Pentium-based EdgeServer card.
By integrating all retail enterprise remote access applications into one highly-scalable, x2 DSP-based architecture, retailers gain the benefits of improved application performance, reduced telecommunications costs, and a future-proofed enterprise network investment. The Total Control remote access concentrator is also a popular network platform for supermarkets and other large-format store retailers as a network back-up solution for their frame relay WAN.
Leading supermarket chains around the world, including American Stores, Bruno's, Carrefour, Giant Eagle, Marsh Supermarkets, Tesco, Woolworth's Australia, Spartan Stores, Wegmans Food Market, and Brookshire Bros., have already deployed 3Com in-store networked solutions.
Retail organizations throughout the world use 3Com enabled networks for their point-of-sale and back-office in-store networks as well as for building retail enterprise intranets which connect stores, distribution centers, and regional and corporate offices. 3Com is a founder of the Retail Network Innovation Awards; a program designed to recognize retailer innovation in the use of networked applications. Additional information on 3Com's innovative solutions for retailers is available at 3com.com.
About 3Com
3Com Corp. 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 consumers 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.
Note to Editors: 3Com, AccessBuilder, PalmPilot, EdgeServer, Total Control and x2 are trademarks, and Palm Computing are registered trademarks, and EdgeServer, PalmPilot, Total Control and x2 are trademarks of 3Com Corp. or its subsidiaries. WorkPad is a trademark of IBM. All other brands and trademarks are the property of their respective holders. |
