3Com Expands Scope of Its Solution Providers Program; New Participants Bring Solutions to Improve Customer Communications and Competitive Positions.

Business/Technology Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2001

3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced new participants in the 3Com(R) NBX(R) Solution Providers Program. The program, designed to expand the array of software and services for its NBX family of IP-based business telephone systems, meets the growing industry demand for more productivity-enhancing applications that can be integrated with converged voice and data networks. Today's new third-party applications include speech recognition, customer relationship management, call recording, and contact centers.

"Since its recent introduction, the Solution Providers Program has achieved great success, signing up more than 11 solution providers," said Ed Wadbrook, director, voice solutions, 3Com Business Networks Company. "The 3Com Solution Providers Program is advancing the market for converged voice and data networks by establishing interoperability between third-party applications and its NBX platform. The established interoperability will help customers achieve greater business efficiency, lower the total cost of ownership and improve their competitive positions."

3Com is one of the first companies to establish a worldwide program that provides a wide range of applications that can be integrated with its networked telephony solutions. The 3Com NBX Solution Providers Program allows third-party application vendors to establish interoperability with 3Com's NBX networked telephony platform, giving customers a broader selection of applications that are ensured to work together "out-of-the-box". For NBX Authorized Resellers, this program provides access to applications that will help them meet the business communications requirements of their customers.

Participant Requirements

To join, application vendors agree to demonstrate full integration with the NBX platform. Vendors that have proven complete integration are designated as a 3Com NBX Solution Provider and the related applications are promoted through joint marketing efforts to 3Com NBX Authorized Resellers. New vendors include:

BrightArrow Technologies - ExecutiveAssistant is a speech recognition based solution that identifies the inbound caller, directing them quickly to the right person, while providing caller information on the PC screen. The solution allows users to make outgoing calls by speaking the caller's name through the NBX handsets, or from remote locations and wireless devices.

EasyRun, Inc. - EPICCenter(TM) product suite incorporates voice, fax, e-mail and Web interactions to provide small-to medium contact centers with the necessary tools to maximize performance levels.

Eyretel - ExecRecord, Observer, Micro(IP), and MediaStore(IP) are part of Eyretel's MediaStore(IP) Recording Suite that enables companies to record, live monitor and act on the interactions with their customers. The products are software based and scalable from single channel recording to multi-site contact center applications, offering small and medium sized businesses access to recording applications traditionally afforded only by large corporations.

iVoice - The Speech Enabled Auto Attendant simplifies how clients and other employees to reach their target. The Appointment Reminder allows executives to remind contacts of scheduled appointments by playing prerecorded reminder messages or use Text-To-Speech to play appointment information.

Sales and Support

NBX Authorized Resellers work directly with 3Com NBX Solution Providers for orders, fulfillment and support of applications. Solution Providers provide technical and application notes covering installation, limitations and warranty related to the applications and 3Com will continue to provide service and support for its NBX products through its customer service organization and NBX Authorized Resellers.

For more information, please contact 800- NET-3COM or visit www.3com.com/partners/spp/index.html.

About 3Com Corporation

3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use connectivity products and solutions for people and businesses. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com and NBX are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.