3Com SA appoints Lechabile as a 3Com Advanced Systems Partner (ASP)

3Com SA has appointed networking and telecommunications specialist, Lechabile Communications, as a 3Com Advanced Systems Partner (ASP). Under the agreement Lechabile Communications will be able to provide networking solutions based on the full range of 3Com high-end systems products.

Lechabile Communications is 50% owned by Nambiti Holdings and 50% owned by Lechabile Investment Holdings. According to Lechabile Communications MD, Kevin Paul, the key business driver which led to the formation of Lechabile Communications was the consolidation of the solid marketing capability of Lechabile Information Technology Services together with the strong networking skills base of Nambiti Technologies. Through this consolidation of IT skills, Lechabile has the capacity, capability and expertise to address the networking and telecoms needs of government, parastatals, financial institutions and SA`s top 100 companies, he explains.

Commenting on the appointment of Lechabile, 3Com SA`s regional director, Buddie Ceronie, says that in terms of 3Com`s Networking Partner Programme (NPP), Lechabile Communications has satisfied 3Com`s requirements regarding both technical and sales expertise in the networking arena.

"The status of an ASP allows only 3Com Partners who satisfy the required criteria access to 3Com`s range of systems products," says Ceronie. "3Com is committed to developing systems partners who are prepared to invest in developing their technical skills and 3Com expertise. Lechabile fulfilled this criteria and has a clear defined vision for the future with regard to IT."

He points out that Lechabile, a specialist in the areas of networking and telecommunications is now in a position to offer a 3Com end-to-end networking solution.

"3Com has a large representation within the government and SA`s top organisations in a variety of industries from a product point of view," says Lechabile`s Paul. "As a 3Com ASP we now have access to 3Com`s full advanced systems range, which gives us a competitive advantage with respect to growing the market share 3Com currently enjoys within these accounts."

He says that Lechabile was also attracted to the fact that 3Com has a clear convergence strategy and can provide an integrated convergence solution as a global end-to-end player. This is important as convergence, the merging of voice, video and data, will require higher availability networks in order to enable content rich multimedia applications, e-commerce and Voice over IP, he explains.

"Alliances with key industry players and proven expertise in developing leading technology solutions, have placed 3Com at the forefront of its drive to deliver converged network applications," he says. "3Com`s joint partnership with Microsoft to co-develop software for network interface cards and hardware will accelerate performance for users of Windows 2000."

He points out that a further partnership with Siemens to develop stackable PABX solutions and joint development of LAN telephony and enterprise networking solutions, is yet another stepping stone for 3Com in the provision of its converged network solution.

As the result of the strategic alliances 3Com has with other leading industry vendors, Lechabile Communications is well positioned to capture market share from the business opportunities that emerge from the convergence drive, adds Paul.

"We now have access to 3Com networking skills globally. This is essential, as we now offer a 24 hour support facility," he adds. "Where training is concerned, the on-going 3Com skills transfer will enable us to empower our technical staff and enable us to realize our objective of helping to address the country`s skills shortage."