Dell Takes Leadership Role inPreparing Industry for Transition to Future Intel Architecture
May 18, 1998 11:31 AM
ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1998--
Application Solution Centers Offer Customers and ISVs Proof-of-Concept, Tuning and Porting Resources for Intel Pentium II Xeon and Merced Processors
Dell Computer Corporation DELL , first in customer satisfaction for PC Servers worldwide(a), today took a leadership role in preparing the industry for the coming transition to future 32-bit and 64-bit Intel Architecture (IA).
Dell, the fourth largest PC server vendor and the third largest Windows NT workstation provider in the world, announced that it would locate two Application Solution Centers (ASC) in Round Rock, Texas (just outside Austin), and in Limerick, Ireland. Dell and Intel will work together on the development of both facilities, which will be operational in the summer of 1998.
Each ASC is designed to provide proof-of-concept, tuning and porting resources for Dell's enterprise customers and independent software vendors (ISVs) wanting to optimize applications on Dell systems that use a future 32-bit or 64-bit Intel Architecture. When Intel officially releases future 32- and 64-bit processors, including their 64-bit processor architecture code-named Merced(TM), Dell plans to offer servers and workstations based on those products.
Today's announcement, which reflects Dell's commitment to providing high-end solutions for its enterprise customers, is the first outcome of last month's communication by Dell and Intel regarding joint initiatives to enhance future enterprise computing and Internet technologies (see April 28, 1998, Dell release).
Dell's ASCs will help enterprise customers and ISVs prepare for tuning today's IA-32 bit applications and prepare for the transition to the future IA-64(TM) processors. Dell will provide a secure, controlled environment with trained engineers, while Intel will contribute special tools for software tuning and code optimization. Customers who achieve an optimal configuration while working on a proof-of-concept can have the exact image of that configuration factory-installed on any Dell PowerEdge(R) server or Dell Precision(TM) workstation. Dell provides this integration service through its DellPlus Server Integration capability.
DellPlus Server Integration is a value-added service offered to all customers who want specialized configurations. These configurations typically go beyond the factory-installed operating systems and factory-configured hardware Dell offers to every server and workstation customer. DellPlus Server Integration is ideal for customers who want the quality and reliability benefits that come from integration, installation, and configuration that occurs in the factory rather than the field. Through DellPlus Server Integration, customers can have industry-standard or proprietary operating systems, databases, and application software -- as well as hardware -- installed, configured, and tested within the Dell factory. DellPlus Server Integration also can ship hundreds or thousands of servers or workstations -- to one or multiple locations -- with the same software and hardware installed on every product. All services offered through DellPlus Server Integration are completed prior to final product testing within the Dell factory.
"Our Application Solution Centers will be state-of-the-art and will make porting, testing, and proof-of-concept for future IA-32 and IA-64 platforms a world-class experience for our customers and partners," said Mike Lambert, senior vice president, Dell Server Group. "We look forward to taking our customer and partner relationships to a new level by working in a hands-on facility that will help us optimize development and produce highly-tuned, enterprise solutions."
Each ASC will be staffed by Dell engineers skilled in development and porting issues associated with Intel architectures and the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. The ASC facilities will be fully equipped with Dell PowerEdge servers and Dell Precision workstations, as well as other Dell products, running the latest IA-32 processors and, in the future, the IA-64 Merced processor. Using these systems, Dell engineers will simulate customers' networks in the lab, allowing for proof-of-concept work, as well as tuning and porting.
"Optimized applications on Intel-based standard high volume servers and workstations are quickly becoming the preferred choice for complex, business-critical solutions. Intel is working closely with Dell's Application Solution Center to ensure that enterprise and workstation applications are readily available and tuned to deliver maximum benefits of performance as well as superior price/performance," said Mike Pope, director, Intel's Enterprise Server Programs. "Dell's Application Solution Centers will help provide its customers and strategic software allies a major advantage and resource for the next generation of enterprise server and workstation solutions."
Ranked No. 125 in the Fortune 500(R) companies, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $12.3 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs and customizes products and services to end-user requirements, and offers an extensive selection of peripherals and software through the DellWare(R) program. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 800/388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web server at www.dell.com.
(a) According to April 1998 Datapro report "Worldwide User Ratings of PC Servers."
Dell and PowerEdge are registered trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. Dell Precision Workstation is a trademark of Dell. DellWare is a registered service mark of Dell Computer Corporation.
Windows NT is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks and Xeon, Merced and IA-64 are trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
c 1998 Business Wire.
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