Coyne leaves slot at the top of 3Com
Networking vendor makes latest in series of management changes
3Com has parted company with another UK head, as Rob Coyne moves aside after less than a year as general manager to be replaced temporarily by the firm's vice-president of European sales, Pax Andersson.
It is the fourth change in 3Com's top UK job in three and a half years.
Adrian Hurel was made redundant in March 2001, after the networking vendor's much- publicised exit from the enterprise market, when it dropped its CoreBuilder range of switches.
In 2002 Paul Malcolm took on the job, to be replaced temporarily by troubleshooter Buddie Ceronie, who was then replaced by Coyne.
3Com confirmed Rob Coyne was leaving "to pursue other interests" with immediate effect. He had joined the firm in October from Computacenter, where he was responsible for enterprise sales.
Andersson told CRN that all 3Com's resellers would be informed of the changes. "The search for a replacement is on. It is not optimal to change too often, but the UK is a very important market for us and we have to ensure we have the best possible management set-up," he said.
He added that the firm wants a replacement who will bring enterprise skills to the position.
Kevin Vine, director of networking services at 3Com distributor Ingram Micro, said 3Com operates mainly in the SME market, but has made recent gains in the public sector.
"The uptake in the enterprise market has been slower than expected. It seems that 3Com cannot get any consistency in the UK. It is confusing for the channel," he said.
Vine added that 3Com needs to act quickly. "It should put out a statement on its channel and enterprise strategy," he said.