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Whether you're walking a tightrope or scribbling in your checkbook, balance is a good thing. And, one of the best ways to evaluate a company is to glance at its balance sheet to see what it owns with what it owes.
The balance sheet is a paragon of simplicity and is made up of three components: assets (the stuff it owns), liabilities (the money it owes), and shareholders' equity (the company's value to its shareholders).
Assets take two forms: short-term (or current) assets and long-term assets. Under short-term, there¿s good ol' hard cash. Then, there¿s something called "cash equivalents," which are assets like short-term bonds that can be sold so quickly, they might as well be cash. There you factor in inventory, which (if you're a reasonably competent business owner) you can sell to customers in return for--you guessed it--cash. (The raw materials a company owns to make that inventory also falls under this category.)
Long-term assets are things that are harder to convert into cash. (Think real estate and equipment.) Long-term assets depreciate, meaning they lose some value over time. Also under the long-term category are what's called intangible assets: things like patents and brands, that are important, but hard to quantify. Accountants earn their stripes figuring out the real overall value of these assets.
Once you know your assets, it's time for liabilities. As with assets, liabilities are separated into short-term or current, and long-term. Current liabilities are what a company owes in that year: Things like payments to employees or accounts payable to suppliers. Long-term liabilities are debts paid over several years.
Shareholders' equity is determined by subtracting the liabilities from the assets. That number represents the value of the company after all its bills are paid.
Obviously, investors should pay close attention to balance sheets. Spikes in the amount of debt carried, or a reduction in shareholders' equity, are usually red flags.
Home / Markets / Industries / Telecom
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
3Com Enhances Secure Mobility for SMBs and Enterprises with New Business-Class Wireless Networking Portfolio
Comtex
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Jun 25, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----3Com Corporation is significantly enhancing its secure mobility solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and enterprises with a new portfolio of robust, easy-to use, business-class wireless products that deliver increased speed, range and capacity along with 3Com's advanced security, ease-of-use and flexible deployment. These new products, ranging from Power over Ethernet (PoE) access points to routers to adapters, enable business people to work and communicate more efficiently and productively on a wireless network than ever before.
3Com's new mobility solutions are based on the emerging 802.11n international wireless standard and deliver clear business benefits at a low total cost of ownership to organizations of all types and sizes:
-- Faster transmission speeds: Enhance collaboration by giving workers quicker access to information, which boosts productivity. This is especially true for high-bandwidth applications, such as broadcast-quality video and rich-media collaborative tools.
-- Superior performance: Wireless devices can maintain a strong connection to the network at longer distances from the nearest access point. This increases user mobility, especially in large areas, such as warehouses.
-- Higher capacity: Ensure comprehensive wireless coverage for more users with fewer access points, which reduces costs, simplifies deployment and makes the network easier to manage.
"3Com is delivering the industry's broadest portfolio of business-class wireless solutions that meet the secure mobility needs of SMBs and larger enterprises," said Jeff Gatto, vice president, 3Com small and medium business. "Business people need to communicate and collaborate from anywhere in the workplace, as well as from remote locations, such as hot spots. Our new products make this easier than ever by providing users with wireless access that delivers the high performance and security that used to be possible only on a wired network. These new products are Wi-Fi certified to interoperate with all existing Wi-Fi certified products, which protects customers' capital investments."
3Com's new products also deliver the high level of security that is a hallmark of 3Com's wireless portfolio. They use the latest encryption techniques and support multiple service set identifiers (SSID) and virtual wireless local area networks, which enable the secure separation of different groups of wireless users, such as teachers from students and employees from guests to protect an organization's private data.
"3Com has been our preferred networking vendor for many years, so we are eager to deploy their new 11n wireless products - especially in our remote offices - because we know we'll receive the quality and reliability we need to ensure business productivity and effective communications," said Alec Ondrusek, director of technology for Names and Numbers, a Kansas-based publisher of telephone directories.
New Products
The new business-class wireless products from 3Com are:
-- 3Com(R) AP3950 - A centrally controlled dual-radio PoE enterprise access point that provides simultaneous 11n performance in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It works with 3Com's existing Wireless Mobility System controllers and switches. Customers with 3Com maintenance service contracts receive a free 11n software update on each covered product.
-- 3Com AirConnect(R) 9550 - A dual-radio PoE access point for SMBs that provides simultaneous operation in 2.4GHz and 5GHz 11n bands.
-- 3Com AirConnect 9150 - A single-radio stand-alone managed PoE access point that delivers 11n 2.4GHz connections.
-- 3Com ADSL Wireless 11n Firewall Router and 3Com Wireless 11n Cable/DSL Firewall Router - Each has a 4-port Ethernet LAN switch, so wired and wireless users can share one connection. With built-in security features such as VPN initiation/termination, they are optimized for use in branch and remote offices, small businesses and by telecommuters. Wireless connectivity can be turned off at the touch of a button when not needed, reducing energy use and enhancing security.
-- 3Com Wireless 11n PCI Adapter and USB Adapter - 2.4GHz client cards enable devices without built-in 802.11n support to connect to the wireless network. They are ideal for business travelers who want the same level of wireless connectivity at hot spots that they have in their office.
Service and Support
3Com backs its business-class wireless products with a broad range of service and support capabilities, including:
-- Wireless LAN site survey - A precursor to a successful wireless deployment, should the customer or 3Com partner require assistance;
-- Wireless implementation service - A highly skilled 3Com consultant will deploy your wireless network; and
-- Suite of maintenance service contracts - Post-sales support to ensure maximum return on customers' investment in 3Com products and solutions.
A Reseller's Perspective
"3Com has delivered a very strong portfolio of wireless products that will be very appealing to my customers," said Peter Salvia, president of voice and data VAR Alternative Solutions in Massachusetts. "In particular, I am very enthusiastic about the AirConnect AP9550 access point, which has the features my small- and medium-sized business customers want at a price that fits their budgets. Customers who are heavy users of video, for example, will be extremely pleased with the speed and bandwidth of 3Com's 11n products. Deployment will be easy for my technicians because the new products use the same intuitive user interface as previous 3Com wireless products, which eliminates any learning curve."
Commitment to "Green Networking"
3Com's industry leadership in "green networking" is reflected in these new wireless products. All 11n access points support the 802.3af standard, which minimizes the power required to operate the devices. This makes them easy to deploy by eliminating the need for separate electrical outlets for each access point and consumes less electricity than most comparable products. This dedication to delivering green products enables 3Com customers to save money on network operations while contributing to a better environment.
Pricing and Availability
Product North America Expected North List Price America Availability --------------------------------- -------------- --------------------- 11n USB and PCI Adapters $89 (USB) Available now $109 (PCI) AirConnect 9550 11n Access Point $499 July 1, 2008 AirConnect 9150 11n Access Point $299 July 1, 2008 AP3950 Enterprise Access Point $1,299 Mid-July 2008 11n Cable/DSL Firewall Router $109 Early August 2008 11n ADSL Firewall Router $149 Mid-August 2008
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. 3Com also includes H3C Technologies Co., Limited (H3C), a China-based provider of network infrastructure products. H3C brings high-performance, cost-effective product development and a strong footprint in one of the world's most dynamic markets. H3C holds the #1 market share position in China for enterprise stackable switch ports and router units, according to leading IT market research and advisory firm IDC. 3Com also is the clear #2 vendor worldwide in total Ethernet switching port shipments, enterprise router units, and small- and medium-business (SMB) switching. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
Copyright (C) 2008 3Com Corporation. 3Com, the 3Com logo, H3C, TippingPoint and AirConnect are registered trademarks or trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its wholly owned subsidiaries. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE: 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation Kevin Flanagan, 508-323-1101 kevin_flanagan@3com.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
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