Intel targets SME servers

Big Blue announces plans to take bigger share of lucrative low-end server market

Intel will be relying heavily on its channel partners in the coming months after announcing plans to take a bigger share of the lucrative low-end server market.

The chip giant has its sights fixed on the SME server arena with the launch of its Real Server Campaign.

Although no financial figure has been released, this is believed to represent a big investment by Intel into getting Xeon-based servers into small businesses. Emerging markets in China, Russia, India and Brazil will receive 'special focus'.

Intel has said it will be working closely with all of its channel partners to get the project off the ground, including system builders, distributors, dealers, local original equipment manufacturers and resellers.

It plans to offer partners technical and marketing assistance to reach SMEs.

Sam Bellamy, Intel's channel marketing manager EMEA, told vnunet.com's sister title Computer Reseller News: "Our sales data shows us there are a lot of our customers building desktop PCs, but there is an opportunity for them to be building servers too.

"This can be very easy, which is something we are highlighting in this programme. We have brought together elements that were split over different web sites into one space."

Bellamy said the server market in EMEA is showing signs of recovery finally, and that the opportunity is big for many system builders, particularly in the SME space where many companies are using the wrong kind of system.

Recent research from Intel suggested many are using PCs to run their businesses.

Willy Agatstein, general manager of Intel's reseller product group, said: "Our research shows only a minority of SMEs in emerging markets have the necessary server systems to operate efficiently.

"Many others are making do with desktop systems designed as single-user desktop PCs."