Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Intel Corporation (INTC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (93283)	12/1/1999 7:30:00 PM
From: Tony Viola	Respond to of 186894

John, Re: "I have to wonder, with the new business opportunities in networking and data farming, if management isn't as focused on the core business?" You raise a good point, couple of points back at ya: 1. This kind of problem should have been found by people several levels below Craig Barrett. So, it should be moot WRT management's focus. 2. Intel has decided that, to grow revenues and profits in the manner in which we stockholders have become accustomed, they need to diversify. Another company that comes to mind that juggles a lot of things at once is Cisco. Can't Intel be as organized as Cisco, while juggling? Speaking of Cisco, though, their markets are growing so fast that scoring for them is almost like throwing a basketball in the ocean. Have to stop exaggerating! Hmmm. Your point is well taken, still. Tony

To: Road Walker who wrote (93283)	12/1/1999 8:15:00 PM
From: Saturn V	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 186894

<Not the execution we expect from Intel.. > This kind of problem is pretty common in a new product startup.The production test sequence does not catch all the possible marginalities on all production units in a new design. Remember that the production test is a brief test that lasts a few seconds and is performed at high temperature. The test sequence is based upon a theoretical model of most likely failure modes, and a characterization of the first samples. Thus problems of this nature are to be expected at this stage, and have occurred on past Intel product start-ups. With the Internet age we becoming more aware of such hiccupps. These problems are resolved by a longer or more complex test,and by appropriate design tweaks. The only question in my mind is how much of an impact it will have on total units shipped due to the lower yield, and a longer more complex test sequence. This problem does not involve the upper management, and is handled by a combination of manufacturing, test and design engineers. The only management issue is, was the best talent assigned to the Coppermine, or was it diverted to Merced or other projects ? Under the pressure to the maximize Coppermine shipments, did the test engineers ignore any marginalities found during characterization of the samples ? Only the persons very close to testing Coppermine can answer these questions. However Intel typically does not resort to witch-hunts, but turns on a dime, confronts problems, and resolves them.