3Com`s second annual South African User Group Conference, which was held at the Mount Grace in Magaliesberg last week, was a resounding success, according to feedback received from 3Com`s local customers who attended.
Chris Van Niekerk, 3Com`s Regional sales Manager, says that the main aim of the User Group is to promote a two-way flow of information between 3Com and its users. "We have integrated feedback from conferences held around the world and have tailored the agenda to the South African market, to ensure that we provide users with a valuable and informative conference."
3Com users who attended the conference were provided with both technology and product information in a practical structure so that they were able to take away tangible information to implement as solutions for their current projects, he explains.
"Network managers make highly visible and expensive decisions, so they need valuable, real-world information," he says. "The 3Com User Group was been set up to foster a strong and committed professional partnership which effectively satisfies business needs."
3Com User Group members receive benefits such as access to 3Com`s portfolio of specially-compiled user information about technical issues and solutions, education and services, and strategies and trends.
Van Niekerk points out that the 3Com user group also gives members a chance to influence a variety of topics, share experiences and ideas, determine educational priorities, receive advanced product information, access 3Com technical information and maintain a communications link with its partners.
International and local technology experts, customer support representatives and 3Com management gave interactive presentations to the users on the latest emerging network technologies.
The agenda included an emphasis on short sharp presentations, small group discussions, and content was catered to different levels and real-life product implementation and solutions were explored.
The agenda covered topics such as converged networks, network management solutions, electronic commerce and took a look at the future of the Internet and Virtual Private Networks (VPN`s).
"Users were shown how converged networks are of great use to most corporate enterprises since they employ multiple network infrastructures to support applications, including voice, video and data transmissions," says van Niekerk. "By converging and integrating parallel networks, corporations are able to reduce communications, operations and network management expenses. Network convergence also leads to the development of more integrated networked applications."
The presentation on VPN systems demonstrated how, as the foundation for next-generation wide area and remote access corporate networks, VPNs enable businesses to purchase cost-effective, secure public network-based alternatives to today`s conventional and more expensive dedicated leased-line and dial-up networks.
The agenda also included lectures and small group discussions focusing on specific aspects of design, implementation and management centred around specific user case studies. A technology Showcase was given to provide a preview of new products in each of 3Com`s core business areas.
"On an on-going basis users are given a chance to offer valuable input with regard to the future design of 3Com`s products and technologies," he adds.
The overall feedback from conference attendees was very positive. Liberty Life IT Manager Anton Labuschagne, who is also 3Com`s local User Group vice chairman, says that he found the User Group to be productive and informative. He also believes that he has come away from the event with an even closer relationship with 3Com as a solutions provider.
"Liberty Life is currently faced with the challenge of providing a robust and reliable network infrastructure in order to support various new business initiatives and also to ensure that such an infrastructure carries the company into the next millenium," says Labuschagne. "In line with our network infrastructure strategy of a switched ATM network, I personally found this User Group event the ideal interactive forum where ample opportunities were created to meet with peers where I could leave with new ideas and fresh solutions."
According to Rex Trueform`s Information Technology Manager, Fernand Brannekamper, the conference was very valuable from the point of view of building relationships with other 3Com users as well as key international and local members of 3Com staff.
"I personally found this User Group conference to be valuable as it allowed 3Com customers the opportunity to keep up to date on the latest trends within the communication industry," says Brannekamper.
He goes on to say that the dialogue with Telkom key speakers was useful and the update of 3Com`s strategic new partnerships with Newbridge and Siemens was very interesting. "The case study by Price Forbes highlighted the close alliance between 3Com and its customers."
"I enjoyed the direct contact with the overseas representatives who offered a valuable global view of present and future technologies," he adds. "I also enjoyed sharing experiences through the interaction of other users."
Editors Note
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organisations worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the world`s preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers worldwide.
The company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers 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 http://www.3Com.com or the press site at http://www.3Com.com/pressbox.
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