3Com Poised To Launch E-Commerce Web Site.

3Com Corp. has formed an electronic-businessgroup that will spearhead a solutions-based electronic-commerce site as part of a companywide reorganization. The site, expected to launch this fall, will help customers find a complete configured solution for their networking needs. 3Com plans to feature its own products as well as complementary offerings from other companies. For example, a small-business customer looking for a Web server will be able to find all the necessary components, from 3Com_s communications products to Web-hosting software. The increasingly complicated nature of communications and networking is requiring vendors and resellers to move toward a packaged sale. 3Com will focus on referring the customer to a local VAR and in some cases will forward the desired configuration list directly to the VAR. Customers also will have the option to purchase directly from the site.The new site and company reorganization are meant to start 3Com out on a new foot when its fiscal year 2000 begins in June. Lower prices on items such as network adapters is putting pressure on 3Com to find ways to cut costs out of the supply chain and increase margins, said 3Com officials.