Tech Data: More Wireless Training

Formerly the Microelectronics division of Lucent Technologies, Agere Systems' Orinoco product line provides wireless networking and Internet access systems using the Wi-Fi (802.11b) specification. The devices are increasingly being installed in enterprise environments.

"We were very intrigued because we had a number of inquiries [from solution pro-viders for wireless training," said Chuck Hernandez, director of customer education at Tech Data.

Networking solution provider Ariel Technologies, Las Cruces, N.M., has done many wireless deployments for federal agencies and local companies.

"There's a lot of interest there," said Al Perez, president of Ariel. "Price, security and speed continue to be major issues. Customers are not usually out looking for wireless networks. They usually just have a problem, and they need a solution."

Tech Data will complete in April a joint road show with Agere in which attendees receive a voucher for $1,000 off Orinoco training and certification through Tech Data's 120 training centers nationwide.

Tech Data executives said they have seen increases in sales of higher-end wireless solutions but declined to release a figure.