Intel Corp. celebrates 10 years in the channel next year. Judging by attendance numbers at a recent channel conference in Toronto, which, at 800 system builders, was the largest in North America, Intel is doing something right.
The man behind that here is Intel Canada’s country manager, Doug
Cooper — CDN’s top Newsmaker of 2003, who comes in at No. 14 this year.
Intel has been known in the past for its innovative and imaginative campaigns. The chipmaker’s recently launched SMB campaign is no exception.
With vendors vying for a piece of this lucrative yet elusive market, which IDC says is growing at a much faster rate than large enterprise segment, resellers are playing a vital role in the equation.
In recognition of that, the Intel Channel Small Business Solution Campaign goes beyond portals and pamphlets to give system builders a step-by-step approach for selling solutions to small businesses. Cooper said Intel Canada also has plans in the works to have services delivered by
telcos that benefit or encourage small business to automate or build out their infrastructure.
Cooper wouldn’t divulge how much Intel has spent on the campaign but said it’s “”more about head count expenses than ad dollars.””
Mobility is another area of growth, which has been explosive for Intel since the launch of its Pentium M Centrino chip last year. “”Mobility continues to drive notebook sales,”” said Cooper.
Intel also recently announced 64-bit capability on its Xeon brand of servers. From Q4 2003 to Q1 2004, Xeon servers grew 60 per cent in unit growth, which Cooper says is “”phenomenal.””
As for Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Cooper says it’s all about good ol’ healthy competition, which benefits consumers and the channel. “”Whether (AMD) is going to gain or lose share, I can’t say,”” said Cooper. “”(The channel) benefits from that environment.””
