SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 10, 2003 - Intel Corporation today detailed a new program that can help companies reduce IT costs by simplifying the testing, deployment and management of their PC infrastructure. The program, which encompasses Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology and the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology**, enables computer stability for businesses deploying a vast number of PCs.

The Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (Intel® SIPP), formerly code-named Granite Peak, provides Intel’s commitment to improve the consistency of PC platform configurations by limiting major technology modifications for 12 months following the applicable chipset introduction, which will enable IT managers to test a computer configuration once and then deploy it to all new PCs for the next year. Previously, when a component or PC maker made modifications, IT departments usually had to retest the software and hardware to ensure compatibility. Retesting is costly and time-consuming.

Intel SIPP helps IT standardize their computers’ platforms company-wide, addressing two primary challenges. First, as new computers are added and aging systems are retired, the variety of PC platform configurations becomes increasingly difficult to manage and costly to support. Second, IT is under increased pressure to control total cost of ownership while deriving improved business value out of PC purchases.

"Businesses want a computer configuration that offers high performance as well as stability, which reduces complexity and enables cost reductions," said Jeff McCrea, vice president, Intel’s Desktop Platforms Group. "Intel’s SIPP provides a 12-month pledge to help deliver these savings."

The Meta Group estimates that a large company with a complex PC infrastructure, running multiple computer configurations, could save up to 15 percent in IT support and management costs by standardizing its environment on a consistent PC platform.

As part of the Intel SIPP, Intel® Stable Image Technology will be incorporated into Intel’s desktop and mobile products. Stable Image Technology is a hardware feature, embedded into Intel SIPP designated chipsets, that ensures minor technology modifications are compatible with previously qualified PC platform configurations. Additionally, Intel will help IT managers better plan for future purchases by providing advanced notification on Intel’s upcoming platform innovations and technology transitions.

Major computer vendors such as Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard (HP), International Business Machines (IBM) and others will be able to use this new program to improve their corporate PC offerings.

"Stability is a key tenet of the Dell OptiPlex* product line," said Tim Mattox, vice president of client products for Dell. "Intel's Stable Image Platform Program with the Intel® 865G chipset helps us deliver a more stable solution for our customers."

"With the launch of the Intel 865G chipset and the Intel Stable Image Platform Program, Intel is delivering components that will help Gateway continue to build a stable platform," said Mike Flanary, vice president of business desktop products, Gateway, Inc. "Intel's ability to provide extended availability and stability on these components will definitely benefit our business customers."

"HP understands the critical importance of offering stable platforms to our business customers," Jeff Groudan, vice president of marketing, Business PCs, Personal Systems Group. "With the launch of the Intel 865G chipset and the Intel Stable Image Platform Program, Intel is delivering the components that HP needs to provide a stable platform and extend the return on invested IT dollars for our customers."

"IBM is pleased to have helped Intel develop the Stable Image Platform Program," said Bob Galush, vice president of marketing, IBM Personal Computing Division. "IBM's Think* family of personal computers has offered stable workhorse models for years, and the new Intel SIPP helps build on IBM ThinkVantage* Technologies designed to make PC management even easier for our customers."

Aligning Core Platform Technologies

Aligning the introductions of Intel PC platform technologies is one of the key elements of the Intel SIPP. The coordinated timing allows IT managers to more accurately plan new PC deployments. The following technologies are supported in the Intel SIPP for at least 12 months after a new chipset introduction.

For desktop PCs, Intel has aligned the system driver software, including integrated graphics driver and local area network (LAN) technology around the Intel 865G chipset launch, which took place on May 21, 2003.

For mobile PCs, Intel has aligned the system driver software, including integrated graphics drivers, wireless capability and LAN technology around the Intel® 855 chipset family supporting Intel Centrino mobile technology, which launched on March 12, 2003.