Intel on look-out for European partners

System integrators working on projects with Linux or Windows on Intel-based hardware have been offered easier access to Intel's professional services group.

Intel Solution Services (ISS) has signed a European deal with Hewlett Packard (HP) Services, for which it has already carried out a 'handful' of projects. ISS is looking to increase its business with other system integrators.

ISS is typically called in by integrators, or directly by clients, to help assess and design projects for systems based on technologies such as Itanium 2.

The division fills the gap between Intel product R&D and customers, working with the chip giant's in-development technologies three to six months before they are widely available.

After completing the analysis and design, the group typically turns to partners for project deployment and support while remaining on hand if required.

"We're not trying to be IBM Global Services," said Tony Martin, channel development manager at ISS. "We're trying to translate Intel's experience for customers directly or through partners.

"We are looking for systems integrators that can see the benefit of having us in their overall suite of services."

HP Services said the deal would help it presell high-end systems but would not affect the subcontracting of parts of the implementation and management phases to channel players.

"This is not a change in strategy, it's broadening our portfolio into leading-edge Intel solutions," said Gavin Bonny, managing principal for Microsoft infrastructure EMEA at HP Services.

"It will help us offer improved time to market and reduced customer risk."