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

To: Amy J who wrote (93378)	12/4/1999 4:10:00 PM
From: Tony Viola	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

Hi Amy, just some thoughts about Has anyone thought how Intel is going to compete against Sun in the high-end market? I don't have much marketing background (none formally), but I always seem to have thoughts: 1. Intel is certainly not going to be vertically integrated with the IA-64 products. Instead, they'll have server partners, like HP, IBM, Dell, Fujitsu, SGI, Hitachi, Bull, etc. Note the worldwide flavor. So, how much of the selling of IA-64 based servers comes from Intel, and how much comes from those companies. The Intel Inside ploy for PCs is as strong as ever in TV, mags, etc. Will they use it for the big silicon (TM Paul E.)? First idea is wouldn't think so, but, I see ads all the time for Sun, Cisco, IBM, recently Agilent (new HP spinoff) for products or services the average TV viewer NEVER has a chance to buy. So, maybe, because of the wildly successful Intel inside ad campaign for PCs, and Intel's overall highly recognizable brand name, we will see that kind of ad for the big stuff. Why let it die? Conclusion: overall it's a server company marketing job, with Intel along for the name and reputation (hopefully not damaged too much of late). 2. Intel isn't new to servers, but will be new to the enterprise (IBM 390, Sun 1000) types. Is there much of a difference in the marketing between medium and large size? Maybe expand the sales force to match up with an HP, call on the big etailers like Amazon together? I'm a stranger in paradise on this stuff. 3. Also, I hope they do not 'only' apply the "copy formula" to the high-end market, because I think creative customer responsiveness will be more important than just the "copy formula" (which is so successful in the more commodity-based consumer market.) First thing that comes to mind is that the huge growth area, the Internet, and the customers you find there are a lot less sophisticated IT-wise than the old big iron customers like banks, insurance companies, airlines, autos and especially the EDSs and AT&T's of the world. What's that mean? A lot more hand-holding? I don't know. Maybe it makes for a great opportunity, since the old guard customers immediately think of IBM or Sun. Maybe the new kids will be wide open to an HP or a Dell with Solaris in it. Just rambling, I know, no conclusions, and have to go. Good subject, Amy. Tony

To: Amy J who wrote (93378)	12/7/1999 1:21:00 AM
From: SisterMaryElephant	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 186894

Amy, <This is my main concern about Intel when it takes on Sun's high-end market.> Is it certain that Intel and Sun will be competitors in the future? For one thing Intel is not a box maker, so we are not really comparing apples to apples. IMHO, Sun will be an Intel customer. If you think about it, most of Sun's profits come from selling systems, software and services. The fact that they have to design SPARC processors to put in those systems has become a "drag" on the company. They siphon profits into the design and manufacture(foundry) of the SPARC and thus to compete with a mass manufacturer like Intel. This does not make sense. Buy from Intel and let Intel suffer the design and manufacture risk and expense. Of course, you will not hear Scott M. say anything about ditching the SPARC since this would suggest an inferior product and hurt the present business. You are more likely to see a transition occur with the I-64 products. More clues...is it not surprising that Solaris runs so well on all Intel's architectures? We will see. Cheers. SK