Enterasys offer to Nortel customers

Enterasys Networks South Africa has announced an unprecedented 100% 'trade-in credit' offer to users of Nortel Networks' switching products should they replace them with the Enterasys equivalent.

This limited period offer comes in the wake of news that Nortel Networks has filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code and had received approval from the United States Bankruptcy Court for a number of motions requesting relief from creditors.

Martin May, country manager for Enterasys Networks SA, has taken advantage of apparent marketplace uncertainty over Nortel's future - as highlighted in the global media - to encourage local Nortel customers to look at alternative solutions.

He proposes they replace their current network switches with Enterasys offerings and thereby enjoy continued technical support and maintenance. He says the move will also facilitate free upgrades in future, allowing them to take advantage of imminent innovations in switch technology - particularly in data security.

“Many Nortel customers operate large corporate networks often running mission-critical applications. For them uptime is vitally important. Enterasys is able to offer these users round-the-clock support and give them peace of mind in terms of network-wide security,” he says.

Enterasys products are distributed exclusively in South Africa by Duxbury Networking. CEO Graham Duxbury says Nortel users are simply required to present invoices showing the purchase price of their Nortel components to their nearest accredited Duxbury Networking dealer in order to qualify for the 100% trade-in offer.

“For those users who cannot provide documentary confirmation, we are offering a 40% discount off the list price of applicable Enterasys products.”

Duxbury says he supports the published view of IT industry insiders who believe Nortel may emerge from its financial problems focused only on salvaging its position in the voice over IP (VOIP) and unified communications market sectors.

“Many believe that Nortel's bankruptcy filings will prompt it to take even more drastic measures than the $400 million cost-cutting campaign it outlined in November 2008 that called for selling its metro Ethernet division, laying off 1 300 employees and suspending operations at certain facilities,” adds Duxbury.