Posted by Brian Brown on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Source
A couple of monthes ago, I published a post detailing counterfeit LAN equipment and how it's spread through the grey market. That article can be found here.
This morning, Maximum PC is reporting on two Kansas residents who were allegedly selling counterfeit networking hardware they claimed to be from Cisco.
From Maixmum PC:
"The two Kansas-area men -- Christopher Myers, 40, and Timothy Weatherly, 27 -- are facing a single count of conspiracy, 30 counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods, and a single count of trafficking counterfeit labels, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release."
Counterfeits are no longer relegated to the dark alleys of large cities or coastal regions, they have found their way into every region of the United States and spotting these products has become increasingly difficult.
Typically the simplest way to identify counterfeit products is to inspect the labeling and packaging, but this method isn't 100% reliable. Counterfeiters have gotten quite skilled at replicating the look and feel of the products they're copying. Again, from Maximum PC:
"Legal documents allege that Myers and Weatherly would buy counterfeit Cisco-branded hardware built in China and Hong Kong, slap counterfeit labels on it, and then packet it in counterfeit Cisco boxes. They would even include counterfeit Cisco manuals, according to the Attorney General's Office in Kansas."
Based on the report, this material would have passed most consumer's initial 'look and feel' test. Keep in mind this wasn't some small-time operation either. These two men netted around $1 million dollars from the sale of counterfeit Cisco products. I can't stress enough the importance of purchasing your networking equipment from authorized distribution. This is the only true method to ensure the networking equipment used in your infrastructure is genuine. A list of authorized distributors can be found on any manufacturer's website
It's been said before, but it is worth repeating, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is."
Posted by Brian Brown on Wed, Dec 02, 2009
Press Release: For Immediate Release
November 2009 - Fluidmesh Networks, a major manufacturer of wireless systems for security applications based on mesh networking technology, and Accu-Tech, a leading distributor of voice, data, sound, security, video cabling products and equipment for 25 years, have recently entered into a distribution agreement.
"Distribution and support from Accu-Tech means that our customers will have one-stop shopping as well as superior technical support," says Stan Schreyer, Fluidmesh Networks VP of Sales. "Accu-Tech has a great reputation and we are very pleased that this company is representing Fluidmesh and our wireless top-tier products".
This agreement will allow Fluidmesh to develop its sales effort not only for video-surveillance and security applications but for other voice and data systems, as well.
"Accu-Tech is excited to have a unique product like Fluidmesh. We are impressed with Fluidmesh's ability to provide point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and mesh networks within the same family of products and look forward to working with Fluidmesh in the growing wireless market," notes Joe Essma, Director of Sound & Security, Accu-Tech.
"Accu-Tech's goal is to create a solid partnership with the manufacturers," adds Cosimo Malesci, co-founder and vice president of Fluidmesh Networks. "Their training efforts and support services are in synch with the Fluidmesh philosophy. This is very important for us as we want to offer not only our technology and our products but also our know-how and experience in the wireless market".
Accu-Tech stocks and distributes products from the leading manufacturers of the data-com industry and partners with them to bring more services and the latest products to its customers, the contractor community.
The full press release can be found here.