SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 8, 2003 – With its Intel® Itanium® 2 processor boasting record-setting performance, several operating systems and the availability of 1,000 applications, Intel Corporation is challenging companies to compare Intel Itanium 2-based servers head-to-head against proprietary systems during a free trial period that is part of a new "try-and-buy" program.

Called "The Intel Itanium 2 Solution Challenge," the worldwide effort kicks off this week and targets Global 500 corporate customers who are current users of RISC-based computers. The Challenge will run through the summer, and is being mounted in conjunction with a score of leading system and solution providers. Qualified customers will have access to Itanium 2-based systems and services for up to 90 days to evaluate the results.

Intel is working on the program with a number of original equipment manufacturers, including HP, IBM, LangChao, Lenovo, NEC, Samsung, SGI, and Unisys, as well as regional system builders. Intel will also work with a number of companies which supply software for Itanium 2, such as BEA, i2, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and SAS, as well as such system integrators as Avanade and Unisys. Industry partners can recommend end-user customers for the Challenge.

"We are bullish on the Itanium 2 processor’s performance and price advantage versus proprietary offerings," said Lisa Graff, director of Intel’s Itanium Group. "Intel, along with our industry partners, wants CIOs to experience the difference an Itanium 2 architecture-based server can make."

In the past year, the mix of customers buying Itanium-based systems has evolved from high-performance/scientific users to enterprise customers. Currently, 14 of the top 25 Global 500 companies have deployed or are evaluating the architecture.

The Itanium 2 processor is broadly deployed in commercial enterprise installations, including Bell Canada, CBS Broadcasting, CFE, ChevronTexaco, CitiStreet, CNA, CompUSA, Cox Communications, Eckerd Drug, The First American Company, First Trust, Fortis Health, Fuji Film, ING, Jet Blue Airways, Metro AG, Raymond James, Sabre Holdings, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Van Heusen and Wells Fargo.