Sophia Chew, Intel`s reseller channel operation VP, says the success of platforms such as Centrino is one of the reasons the company has re-organised itself around 'platformisation`.
Intel now focuses on five specific areas, which include home, enterprise mobility and the channel.
"Platformisation is definitely the way forward for us. The first time we put three silicon chips on one board with the Centrino technology we quickly realised we would have to continue on that path in future solutions such as the digital home," Chew says.
She adds that the end-user is always demanding more performance from IT infrastructure, especially the processors, and that is why Intel is putting its weight behind multicore technologies that provide for seamless 'parallelisation` of instructions on chipset.
Another driver from the digital home is the fact that home users are demanding a single box from which they can simultaneously perform functions like watch movies and surf the Internet.
Chew adds that customer satisfaction has long moved beyond being just a hardware or software issue and is now centred around total solution provision, and this is what platformisation will bring.
Channel becomes 'trusted advisor`
As for the channel, Intel says when it comes to satisfying the demands of emerging markets, its distribution and reseller partners will remain essential because they have insight into the unique needs of the areas within which they operate.
Chew says Intel`s premier providers form key parts of the company`s channel programme, in that they are at the forefront of introducing new technologies to specific markets and are critical in coming up with solutions for the same markets.
Intel has 1 500 such providers globally, nine of which are in SA.
Chew remains bullish about the potential of channel partners, noting that globally they contribute about a third of the company`s earnings.
"Premier providers understand their local markets, landscapes and cultures; their ability to provide total solutions for customers makes them now assume the role of a trusted adviser."
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