The company uses its VPN tunneling technology to provide a secured medium for inter-organisational communication. 3Com is trying to project the option as a cost-effective, highly-mobile and secured-communication mode. According to 3Com senior marketing manager Rob Forsyth, the cost-effectiveness is far greater compared to a dedicated line or a PC dial-up.

"Lower overheads, remote access and high-security levels are what corporations seek. The important thing is that communication will take place across the country at the cost of a local call," Forsyth said.

Investment protection, reduced administration costs and high quality voice support are some of the features in 3com's Pathbuilder, Superstack II and Total Control platforms. Remote access solutions useflexible architecture and IP/IPX routing features.

"As done in Europe and the US, we provide tools to make networks VPN-enabled. This does not require any additional investment," he said. VPN solutions support 56-bit encryption and 128-bit encryption algorithms.

The company is planning to put resellers and major customers on its mailing list to spread the popularity of VPNs. Another focus area will be customer support.

The 3Com official said that the company has tried to include the requirements in the internet era.

"Instant pervasive connectivity, reduced costs through converged video, voice and data applications and digital certificate support for companies who need high level of secure administration are some of the major selling points," Forsyth said.

3Com has launched its wide area network campaign called eNetworks in India. It has targeted large corporates to link their offices and business partners to facilitate e-commerce through wide area networks (WAN) while high speed small offices willbe created providing access to remote areas through a VPN.