3Com to take IT audit scheme online

3Com is extending its e-audit business assessment scheme to its 1500 accredited UK resellers, and is making it web-based for easier accessibility.

3Com is extending its e-audit business assessment scheme to its 1500 accredited UK resellers, and is making it web-based for easier accessibility.

The e-audit scheme comprises a tool which allows resellers to take customers through a checklist of questions about their business IT needs and form a profile. The responses can then be emailed or sent directly over the web, along with a report about what products and services are needed.

The scheme was tested last year with 10 resellers using a CDRom-based version of the assessment tool. 3Com said the scheme is aimed mainly at end-user companies with between five and 125 PCs and little or no IT support.

"People don't need to know how technology works, they want to know what it will do for them," said Nick Ruczaj, business manager at 3Com UK. "The product opens doors and solves the difficulties that resellers have selling networking. It prompts them on the questions to ask."

Brian Somerville, products manager at reseller Compusys, has used the computer-based e-audit 60 times and believes it is an effective way of conveying a solution to a customer.

"The new online version will make things easier because once the audit is carried out online the recommendations will be automatically sent to me without the need to save information and email the results," he said.

3Com said e-audit would advise end users on suitable products and services from other companies, not just on its own solutions.

First published in Computer Reseller News