The Agency networks with 3Com

As part of its drive to become "architects in communication", full-service marketing consultancy The Agency has implemented a R600 000 networking solution from 3Com which will enable its 150 staff to communicate more effectively with each other.

Attilio Dalvit, The Agency`s IT manager, explains that, following the company`s transformation from an advertising agency into a full-scale marketing company, it was vital to have an IT infrastructure that was completely stable, state-of-the-art and fast.

"The upgraded system would make it easier for our employees to communicate with each other and this, in turn, will mean our clients will receive even better service," he says.

After evaluating several alternative solutions, The Agency opted for 3Com`s expertise, primarily because of its reliability and because it wanted to align itself with an industry standard in networking. The 3Com solution addressed the project needs with depth of experience as well as cost-effectiveness.

The solution that 3Com and reseller SBS proposed included a 4007 fibre optic switch as the backbone, with 10 24-port SuperStack 3 3300 switches. A Remote Access System (RAS) was also installed to enable home-workers and selected clients to access the company network from offsite.

Explains Chris van Niekerk, country manager 3Com SA: "The SuperStack 3 Switch 3300 family delivers advantages such as simplified growth and provides built-in stacking so The Agency can add ports as and when it needs them," he explains.

"We also installed 3Com`s Enterprise Switch that prevents the router from becoming a bottleneck as well as enabling the network to evolve on an ongoing basis. Bandwidth is not a problem within the network, as the system runs Gigabit Ethernet."

Dalvit says that, apart from the high standard of hardware that 3Com provided, it was also chosen for the project because "everything is under one roof".

"Both the management of the system and the actual hardware comes from one source, providing us with a turnkey solution," he says. "This demonstrates the high level of service which 3Com and its resellers bring to the projects they implement for their customers. From the first consultations and preparation of a system specification through to the final implementation, 3Com supported the client company with professional advice and technical guidance.

"It is also a further example of the 3Com core vision of providing a simple solution, which fully answers the customer`s needs while remaining cost-effective. An even more important factor in this project was the ability to implement a new network system with minimal disruption to The Agency`s large, busy staff. This was achieved within a suitably short time period."

As The Agency grows and reinforces its position as one of the top South African full services agency, it will extend the RAS with extra ISDN incoming interfaces. Dalvit says he is also investigating 3Com`s NBX telephone system to replace the current PABX system. This technology would add considerable value to the network as it allows IT and telephone communications over the same cabling.

The NBX system also provides a full range of CTI features including interfaces for e-mail and voice communication without additional software requirements.