AMD boosted by Stone partnership

Chip manufacturer claims three-year deal will allow it to make headway in the public sector

James Bird: this is a bold move towards increasing the choices offered to our customers

Chip maker AMD claims its new partnership with system builder Stone Group is a major coup that will allow it to boost its standing in the public sector.

The three-year agreement will see Stone incorporate the vendor's Athlon II dual- and quad-core processors into its kit. The public sector-focused system builder said the partnership would allow it to give greater choice to customers. Stone is expecting to ship 100,000 desktops during 2010.

Craig Connell, AMD's regional sales manager for northern Europe, said the deal was a great opportunity for his firm to make a larger splash in the public sector market.

“The UK corporate and public sector are currently major focuses for AMD, " he explained. "Partnerships with hardware manufacturers such as Stone represent a significant step in this process and will undoubtedly be a big stride towards building a bigger footprint for AMD in the public sector.”

Stone chief executive James Bird said the agreement would help his firm meet its ambitious growth plans this year.

“This collaboration represents a bold move towards increasing the choices offered to our customers," he added. "It not only increases our ability to meet the specific requirements of customers, without heavy cost implications, it will also help us meet our aggressive growth targets for 2010, as well as ensuring that we take full advantage of key contracts such as the Buying Solutions framework and the Office of Government Commerce e-Auction #12 initiative.”