In a move to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of its networking offerings, 3Com SA has introduced a lifetime support warranty on its recently released range of Superstack III network switches.
The offer includes free future software upgrades and access to web-based training to ensure users derive the most benefit from their systems, says Chris van Niekerk, 3Com country manager (sub-saharan Africa).
He says the costs associated with corporate network ownership are closely related to the life span of the elements of the IT infrastructure.
"This reinforces our view that an investment in technology should have a primary objective of being future proof," he says. "It is also important that the network components are easy to install, use and maintain."
3Com estimates that the largest component of the cost of networked hardware - about 46% - is that of end user operations including installation, user training, management, on-going support and time wasted with the configuration of upgrades.
Capital costs (purchase, rental or lease of hardware, software and infrastructure) comprise only 21% of the TCO.
He says that 3Com SA is also making available a network management package - 3Com`s Transcend Network Supervisor - as a no cost addition to its network switches.
"Network management tools provide savings on network and user management, administration, licensing, software repair and software installation,` notes van Niekerk. "Additionally, less tangible benefits include; consistency, fault tolerant self repair, and ease of maintaining the integrity of the network."
The 3Com offering is backed by Web-based `service packs` to constantly enhance the system when new products or upgrades are launched.
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