3Com Corporation and Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS) today announced a strategic alliance under which TAIS will recommend only 3Com Megahertz mobile connectivity solutions to Toshiba notebook PC customers. In addition, the two mobile leaders have entered into an OEM relationship under which Toshiba will pre-install reliable, high-performance 3Com connectivity products on Toshiba notebook PCs.
As part of the strategic alliance, TAIS will exclusively recommend the sale of certain 3Com connectivity products (PC Cards and desktop network interface cards) for TAIS portable and desktop computers. 3Com will assist Toshiba America`s sales team in presenting a complete solution to Toshiba major account customers. Toshiba will also include 3Com products in its accessories guide, marketing materials and on Toshiba`s web site.
As part of the OEM relationship, Toshiba America becomes a participant in the 3Com Connected program and will pre-install 3Com Megahertz PC Card modems into most of its notebook PCs, explains 3Com SA`s channel director, Dirk Bosmans. " Membership in the 3Com Connected program ensures that Toshiba notebooks equipped with 3Com Megahertz PC Cards have been pre-configured and rigorously tested for compatibility," he says. "In addition, these notebook PCs will carry the 3Com Connected logo, 3Com`s certification signifying the best pre-installed connections."
Through the exclusive endorsement, TAIS will also encourage channel partners and integrators to pre-install 3Com products.
3Com is the leading global provider of mobile information access products with 49 percent LAN PC Card and 33 percent modem PC Card market share worldwide (Cahners[3C1][3C2]/In-Stat Q2 1998). Toshiba America Information Systems continues to be the leading vendor of portable computers with 20.1 percent market share worldwide (International Data Corp. Q2 1998).
"This is a blockbuster strategic alliance between two companies that both share a deep commitment to building best-in-class products," says Jef Graham, general manager of 3Com`s mobile communications division. "Toshiba is the clear leader in the notebook PC market. Their exclusive endorsement of our connectivity solutions sends an important message to our customers about the strength of 3Com`s technology."
"The market has shown a preference for 3Com`s technology and so have we," said Steve Ross, general manager, Toshiba Computer Systems Division of TAIS. "It`s smart to choose another widely-recognized, reliable business ally like 3Com to deliver compelling mobile solutions to protect the technology investments of Toshiba customers."
This strategic alliance is the latest step in a long-standing relationship between Toshiba America Information Systems and 3Com Corporation in the mobile market. TAIS joined 3Com as a member of the Mini PCI Roundtable, a group of leading mobile vendors that proposed a new standard for integrated communications that targets small form factor products. TAIS is also a member of the Mobile Advisory Council, an advocacy group for mobile design requirements of which 3Com is a co-chair.
Editors note
TAIS is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $44 billion Toshiba Corp., the sixth largest electronics and electrical equipment manufacturer, and the world`s 37th largest corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high-technology products with 315 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
3Com: With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people in more ways to information than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com - More connected. For further information, visit 3Com`s World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
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