Intel, IBM strike deal to lower PC ownership costs (original) (raw)
IBM and Intel have announced that they will join together in tackling the rising costs of PC ownership in a networked environment.
The initiative, called the Advanced Manageability Alliance, will call for the two companies to design, develop and co-market standards-based solutions which aim to cut costs by simplifying installation and maintenance of PCs, according to a company press release. With several network computer announcements this week from the likes of Sun and Microsoft, the idea of cutting costs of owning and maintaining desktop PC couldn't come at a more crucial moment, according to some analysts.
Market research firm International Data predicts that owning a PC will cost an individual or corporation at least US$8000 annually, a price NC manufacturers say drops at least in half for their devices.
In the first stage of the alliance, Intel will incorporate IBM's Wake On LAN remote management capabilities into its Fast Ethernet LAN adapters and LANDesk Client Manager software. In turn, IBM will incorporate those Intel products into all future versions of its desktop PCs powered by Pentium and Pentium Pro processors beginning in the first quarter of 1997.
The two vendors will work to allow PCs to be controlled uniformly from both Intel's LANDesk Configuration Manager and IBM's LAN Control Client Manager. They will also integrate Tivoli Systems' TME 10 enterprise consoles with Intel LANDesk management tools and IBM NetFinity tools for workgroups, officials say.
In the future, the two companies plan to develop new PC management software, PC networking management hardware and simpler-to-use desktop systems. While the initial products will be reflected in Intel and IBM's product lines, the companies hope the solutions will be adopted as industry standards, officials say.
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