Boy Scouts of America Nets Big Results via 3Com Voice and Data Network.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2003

Networked Telephony Helps South Carolina Boy Scout Office Improve

Day-to-Day Fundraising, Saves Thousands Annually in Fundraising Costs

The Indian Waters Council of the Boy Scouts of America relies heavily on telephone canvassing to fund the activities of more than 15,000 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturers and Explorers in eight counties. Now, thanks to an affordable voice and data network solution from 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS), the Scout Council is reducing its fundraising costs while significantly improving the communications capabilities of its staff.

Using a 3Com(R) networked telephony solution and fast Ethernet switches, the 20-person Boy Scout office in Columbia, S.C., sets up its own canvassing phone banks in minutes, eliminating $1,400 service calls to move and change phones for its annual fundraisers. The cost-effective 3Com solution also enhances productivity by equipping Boy Scout staff with advanced, business-class telephony features, including voicemail and automated attendants.

"3Com has given us a practical solution that greatly improves our communications," said Kathryn Byrd, office manager of the Boy Scout Columbia office. "The 3Com system is easy to use, and its browser-based management enables us to move, add and change phones ourselves without incurring any costs. We're raising a lot more money as a result."

Using the plug and play 3Com SuperStack(R) 3 NBX(R) Networked Telephony Solution, the Boy Scouts now prepare for its fundraising telephone campaigns by piggybacking NBX handsets into a single phone jack instead of contracting BellSouth to move and reconfigure its phones. The Scout Shop apparel store, a major source of income for Indian Waters Council, relies on the NBX system to take phone and fax orders for uniforms and other scouting gear.

The 3Com solution is also improving office productivity. The NBX auto attendant instantly routes incoming calls to the appropriate party, reducing the receptionist's daily call volumes from 50 to 20. The NBX voice mail system relieves the burden of taking messages while ensuring that all phone messages are accurately delivered. In addition, the 3Com voice system's support of infrared communications allows Boy Scout staff to dial their NBX phones directly from the address books of their handheld personal digital assistants.

Previously, the Columbia Boy Scout office used a leased Meridian Norstar PBX system, which cost the office $4,200 a year to move, add and change phones for its fundraisers and lacked advanced features. With its lease expiring, the office sought an affordable, function-rich voice solution that was easy to use and manage.

After consulting with 3Com value-added reseller, Creative Solutions, the Boy Scouts chose the NBX solution because of the system's superior feature set and price/performance. The plug-and-play capabilities and ease of management were also decisive factors.

Today, a SuperStack 3 NBX chassis is the linchpin of the Boy Scout office's phone system, which consists of 22 NBX handsets. A 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 3300 switch powers the NBX system and carries the office's voice traffic. The Boy Scouts also use a separate, pre-existing 3Com Ethernet network to produce and distribute a quarterly 12-page newsletter and maintain its web site.

The office manages its voice and data systems using 3Com's intuitive administration tools. Using 3Com Network Supervisor, the office easily administers the network locally or remotely without relying on costly service contracts or software licensing fees. With the browser-based NBX NetSet(TM) utility, the Boy Scouts quickly moves, adds and changes phones without the costs of an outside contractor. The NBX NetSet administration tool also enables individual employees to easily customize their phones for improved call handling.

"3Com has given us unbeatable value and performance," said Byrd. "We're a much more efficient and effective operation. More importantly, we're placing more of our resources into programs and activities that enrich the lives of our scouts."

About 3Com Corporation

3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value networking products for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. 3Com is also a leader in providing Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for network service providers. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com, the 3Com logo, NBX and SuperStack are registered trademarks and NBX NetSet is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.