Leading networking distributor for the Middle East Online Distribution is the first in the region to conform to 3Com's Authorised Distributor, Authorised Reseller and Support policies for 3Com Router 5000 Family
UAE, Dubai 19 May 2004: OnLine Distribution Ltd., the Middle East’s leading distributor for networking products and solutions, has become the first 3Com® Middle East distributor to conform to 3Com’s stringent requirements for distributing the new Router 5000 series of mid-range enterprise routers. OnLine now offers the services of a certified 3Com WAN specialist and will shortly add the services of a 3Com LAN Switching specialist.
The 3Com Router 5000 family offers high-speed processors, support for converged voice, data, and video, and can deliver advanced security and control features. To support its launch in the region, 3Com has implemented a dedicated authorised distributor policy for this product family, aimed at ensuring that enterprise customers receive ongoing, world-class technical advice and service when they implement the routers.
“This certification comes as a result of our commitment to 3Com’s push towards bringing the first series of large enterprise routers to the market, and our determination to deliver the highest standards of technology and support to our customers,” said Keith Rich, MD, OnLine Distribution. “The enterprise user expects and demands a high level of technical support. We strongly believe in value-added distribution and have always ensured that our team upgrades its skill sets to be able to offer the highest level of technical support to our channel partners and their clients.”
With the introduction of the 3Com Router 5000, 3Com introduced new Authorised Distributor, Authorised Reseller and Support Policies.
According to Tarek Ghoul, 3Com’s Country Manager, Gulf & Levant, “We anticipate strong demand for the Router 5000 family in the Middle East. We are determined that the resulting wave of implementations will be supported by ongoing support from 3Com and our partners in the region. The Router 5000 family offers significant advantages for customers that include heightened security, resilience, redundancy features, and high speed processors. It is essential that our distributors and resellers have the required specialist skills and product knowledge necessary to support the technology.”
Under the new 3Com channel policies, only specific distributors that meet specific criteria will be 'authorised' to distribute the new 3Com Router 5000 series products. Among other criteria, the distributor must have at least one certified WAN Core Specialist, at least one person on the team must complete Router 5000 Online Sales Training and it must provide first level telephone support.
“Partners who meet the requirements of the 3Com Router 5000 Authorisation Programme will have exclusive access to sell these products and be eligible to participate in joint selling activities, lead generation and marketing initiatives including 3Com's evaluation and trade-up programs,” pointed out Ghoul “Special pricing and rebates will also be available, together with dedicated technical support from 3Com.”
“As an authorised 3Com regional distributor, we believe that we needed to make this investment in training to help us work better with our partners and add value to our distribution agreement with 3Com,” added Rich.
In addition, 3Com Router 5000 authorised partners will need to employ a Network Consultant who has achieved the status of 3Com WAN Certified Specialist, who then passes the 3Com Router 5000 Trouble-Shooting Final Exam.
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About OnLine Distribution
OnLine Distribution Ltd. based in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone of Dubai, U.A.E., is a value added distributor of data networking products operating throughout the Middle East, Western Asia and North Africa.
OnLine serves its customers, companies providing network integration services, not only with industry leading products but with a range of services including logistics, network design, technical support, sales support and marketing programs.
Along with Westcon Group, Inc. the leading global distributor of networking and telecommunications equipment, OnLine is a subsidiary of Datatec, an international networking and IT services group with operations in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.
About 3Com
3Com is a leading provider of innovative, practical and high-value voice and data networking products, services and solutions for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
3Com and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation.
For more information on this press release, please contact:
OnLine Distribution
Rashida Malik
Tel: +971 4 8839888
E-mail: rashida@online-dubai.com
Market Buzz International:
Mita Srinivasan
Tel: +971 4 3914873
E-mail: mita@themarketbuzz.net
© Press Release 2004
