News

Intel Introduces Try-and-Buy Program for Itanium 2

Intel this week kicked off a try-and-buy program to encourage Global 500 corporations to evaluate Itanium 2 systems against their current RISC processor-based systems.

Intel calls the effort the "Intel Itanium 2 Solution Challenge" and will run the promotion through the summer. The program involves a free trial period of up to 90 days for systems and services.

Intel has begun to enjoy real traction for its 64-bit Itanium processors after several years on the market. Unlike previous versions of Itanium, the third-generation "Madison" version is supported by dozens of hardware vendors and is fully supported by widely available and fully supported versions of Windows. In recent weeks, Intel has begun highlighting a number of customers running Itanium 2 systems (See story).

The challenge represents another way Intel is trying to leverage its new momentum for its 64-bit technology. "We are bullish on the Itanium 2 processor's performance and price advantage versus proprietary offerings," Lisa Graff, director of Intel's Itanium Group, said in a statement announcing the challenge program.

System partners in the program include HP, IBM, LangChao, Lenovo, NEC, Samsung, SGI, Unisys and regional system builders. Software partners include Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, SAS, BEA and i2. Participating system integrators include Unisys and Avanade, a joint venture of Microsoft and Accenture.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Closeup of the new Copilot keyboard key

    Microsoft Updates Copilot To Add Context-Sensitive Agents to Teams, SharePoint

    Microsoft has rolled out a new public preview for collaborative "always on" agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing enhanced, context-aware tools into Teams channels, meetings, SharePoint sites, Planner workstreams and Viva Engage communities.

  • Windows 365 Cloud Apps Now Available for Public Preview

    Microsoft announced this week that Windows 365 Cloud Apps are now available for public preview. This aims to allow IT administrators to stream individual Windows applications from the cloud, removing the need to assign Cloud PCs to every user.

  • Report: Security Initiatives Can't Keep Pace with Cloud, AI Boom

    The increasingly fast adoption of hybrid, multicloud, and AI systems is easily outgrowing existing security measures, according to a recent global survey by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and exposure management firm Tenable.

  • World Map Image

    Microsoft Taps Nebius in $17B AI Infrastructure Deal To Alleviate Cloud Strain

    Microsoft has signed a five-year, $17.4 billion agreement with Amsterdam-based Nebius Group to expand its AI computing capabilities through third-party GPU infrastructure.