The face of information technology is shifting rapidly, and more small busi-nesses are needing networking systems that previously would only be found in the realm of large corporations.

This need is especially critical when taking into account that many small companies only maintain an online presence, which opens them up to security risks.

Locally, global company 3Com has taken cognisance of this and has repackaged a range of products directed at small and medium-sized businesses (SMB). These products will be complemented by new product launches, expected to happen this year.

Network consultant at 3Com South Africa Wolfgang Held details the products on offer.

“The company has a long history of working in ethernet networking and now we are focusing specifically on SMBs,” he says, explaining that products have not simply been scaled down for small users but redesigned by the company’s over 50 engineers who specialise in this area. One such area of focus is voice over Internet protocol (VoIP); the company has brought out an ‘all-in-one’ IP-PABX switchboard – the NBX V3000 – for companies with between four and 50 telephony users.The box has much of the function-ality usually only seen at large cor- porations such as customisable oper- ations like forwarding of calls to any location or to a message.

A complete phone range extends from the desktop through to the receptionist, although an electronic operator is also an option if the company does not need a receptionist.

A Web-based management system allows customers to control advanced management functions in-house, saving on administrative fees.

The management system also offers a desktop application that enables telephony from a desktop or a com-puter.

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