CompUSA Deploys Next-Generation Gigabit Ethernet Solution to Support
Rapid Growth in Corporate Business - 09:04 a.m. Dec 07, 1998 Eastern
World's Largest Computer Retailer Installs 3Com Gigabit Ethernet Solution
to Expand Production Capacity at State of the Art Configuration Center
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1998--
3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS), the leader in providing advanced networking
solutions to retailers today announced that CompUSA, the world's largest
computer retailer, has deployed a next-generation 3Com(R) Gigabit Ethernet
solution at the company's new, state-of-the-art configuration center.
The 3Com solution provided the added network flexibility, performance and
intelligence needed to more than double CompUSA's production capacity of
custom-built PCs for its corporate account business.
"This strategically important part of our business requires the highest network
reliability, performance and flexibility and the 3Com network solution is perfectly
suited to the heavy demands of our PC configuration business," said Honorio
Padrone, CIO for CompUSA. "The network's ability to perform to our
requirements has allowed us to increase both our productivity and customer
satisfaction."
New Network Optimizes Efficiency While Offering Flexibility
CompUSA's newly built Configuration Center, located in Grapevine, Texas and
featuring hundreds of workspaces that are each equipped with Token Ring,
Ethernet and Fast Ethernet connectivity links, was designed to allow CompUSA to
custom assemble and configure each PC in accordance with individual customer
orders.
By featuring the different technologies at each workstation CompUSA is able to
utilize 3Com's intelligent, auto-sensing technology to rapidly setup, configure and
test each custom PC, regardless of its connectivity speed, without reconfiguring
the workspace's network connection.
This exclusive 3Com feature is enabled in 3Com network interface cards (NICs)
and switches and allows CompUSA to maximize 3Com's complete system
solution architecture while eliminating network downtime resulting from
workstation set up and configuration changes.
To support the greatly expanded production capacity, the Configuration Center's
network backbone is composed of four SuperStack(R) II Switch 9300's,
providing wire speed Gigabit Ethernet links to 22 workgroups that are connected
through SuperStack II Switch 3900's.
While network performance and flexibility were important to CompUSA's
configuration productivity, the installation of 3Com's Transcend(R) Enterprise
Manager and Traffix network management applications and InfoVista software
also allowed the retailer to achieve more accurate job production accounting.
These network management applications precisely track the time it takes to
complete each job, resulting in more precise billing of customer configuration
services.
These applications will also help CompUSA to plan future work production by
employing Service-Level Agreement (SLA) models which will accurately predict
the amount of time each job will require, enabling the Configuration Center to
optimize job scheduling and maximize throughput of jobs in the queue.
"The ability of 3Com's next-generation network solutions to support new
customer-focused initiatives is critical to success in retailing," said Jeff Siegel,
3Com's group director of retail, distribution, and lodging.
"As a result, we are beginning to see a migration to higher bandwidth technologies
like Gigabit Ethernet. But more than just the addition of greater bandwidth, the
intelligence of today's next-generation networks makes a significant contribution
in meeting the evolving demands of major retailers."
A majority of the world's largest retailers including Wal-Mart, Sears Roebuck,
JCPenney, The Home Depot, American Stores, Boots plc, Carrefour, Hudson's
Bay, Eckerd Drug, Rite Aid, and OfficeMax depend on 3Com enabled networks
for their point-of-sale and back-office in-store networks, enterprise intranets, call
center, supply chain and headquarters campus networks.
3Com is the 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 solutions for retailers is available at
3com.com.
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 www.3com.com/pressbox.
Notes to Editors: 3com, Transcend and SuperStack are registered trademarks and
More Connected is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other company and
product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are
associated.
Copyright 1998, Business Wire
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