Intel Expands Global Small Business Programs

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2003--Expanding its outreach to small- and medium-sized businesses, Intel Corporation announced a program to help customers evaluate and deploy PCs based on the latest hardware and software technology innovations. This program follows a similar campaign announced earlier in the year regarding the benefits of Intel-based servers.

Several factors play a role in the decision for smaller businesses to upgrade PCs, including additional costs of maintaining aging PCs; lower productivity from older applications and outdated, unsupported software and operating systems; and the growing number of security issues. Through the global "Accelerate Your Business" program, Intel will give its distributors, dealers, system builders and solution providers technical and marketing assistance to help them educate smaller businesses on when and why PCs should be replaced and how new wired and wireless PCs can grow business and enhance return on investment.

“We are seeing an increase in small businesses coming to us for solutions to their technology needs to address issues such as security, viruses and spam. We look to companies like Intel to provide the tools and assistance to help us navigate new technologies and deliver value to our customers.”

"Many small businesses lack formal IT departments and at times delay PC replacements, believing it will save the company money," said Willy Agatstein, general manager of Intel's Reseller Products Group. "In the long run, this strategy actually has a large impact on the bottom line in terms of increased computer support costs and reduced company competitiveness."

Intel will provide technical training at its worldwide channel conferences and ongoing sales tools, marketing collateral and product briefs on Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology(1), wireless notebook technology, such as Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology, and the importance of a planned refresh cycle.

"In a tight economy, businesses need to do more to compete and are looking for solutions to help them get more done in less time and at a lower cost," said Adeshir Niliaram, owner, Computer Business Services. "We are seeing an increase in small businesses coming to us for solutions to their technology needs to address issues such as security, viruses and spam. We look to companies like Intel to provide the tools and assistance to help us navigate new technologies and deliver value to our customers."

This program expands Intel's efforts to educate small and medium businesses on IT issues and complements the Intel "real server campaign" which began earlier this year. The real server campaign helps customers learn how a server based on the Intel(R) Xeon(TM) processor family can improve their competitiveness and profitability.

For more information on the Accelerate Your Business program, visit www.intel.com/go/accelerate.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Intel, Intel Centrino mobile technology and Intel Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

(1) Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor supporting HT Technology and an HT Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.