Dell marks first anniversary of EMEA networking business with new products, tools to simplify management

A year on since the successful launch of its networking business in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Dell is expanding its EMEA offering with the launch of two new PowerConnect managed network switches, OpenManage Network Manager, and price reductions on managed switches throughout the region.

The PowerConnect 3348 and 3324 fast Ethernet switches are ideal for customers who need high-performance connectivity to expand their networks. They also provide sophisticated management functionality to allow businesses to handle increases in network performance and security and bring enterprise-class features and flexibility to customers at industry-leading prices.

With the introduction of these new switches, Dell continues to help growing businesses simplify the task of designing, purchasing, installing and managing their networks by offering a complete desktop-to-the-data centre infrastructure solution with single point of accountability.

The PowerConnect 3348 and 3324 switches offer 48 or 24 ports, respectively, of Fast Ethernet connectivity and two built-in copper Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports with optional Gigabit Ethernet fibre connectivity. For ease of management, customers can stack the 1U PowerConnect switches using a Gigabit stacking module and then manage up to 192 Fast Ethernet ports as if they were one system. Management options include an intuitive Web-based tool and industry-standard command line interface (CLI).

The new switches include standards-based advanced switching and availability features that allow network administrators to better manage traffic flow in the network. They join Dell`s existing family of managed and unmanaged switches designed to meet the networking needs of small and medium-sized businesses and branch offices, as well as provide edge-connectivity for large organisations.

Dell is also making it easy for customers to manage their PowerConnect switches with new network management software available today at no cost. Dell OpenManage Network Manager is ideal for companies with more than 10 Dell PowerConnect managed Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet switches.

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Dell`s OpenManage Network Manager allows customers to deploy firmware updates and perform configuration changes to multiple switches in a single operation, helping to save time and money. In addition, organisations can discover and group network devices, monitor network performance, diagnose network problems, and schedule backup operations.

"Understanding the business impact of network management is important because business revenue depends increasingly on networks whose availability and performance are critical to survival and business growth," comments Stephen Elliot, senior analyst, IDC. "The Dell solution avoids the high cost of other management solutions by providing similar functional tasks as an integrated and automated tool that is easy to use."

Tiny Maubane, Enterprise Product Manager of Dell South Africa, says: "We are delighted to introduce the new PowerConnect 3348 and 3324 switches to our customers across EMEA. Combined with the introduction of OpenManage Network Manager, these new switches will greatly enhance our customers` ability to manage and expand their networks."

"It`s a year since we first introduced the PowerConnect range of switches in EMEA and the market in this region has grown rapidly. The introduction of these new products, combined with a reduction in price across the managed PowerConnect range will continue to create excellent value for our customers," continues Maubane. PowerConnect customers in SA include two of the top four banks and a number of top corporates.