Intel outlines growth opportunities for partners

Around 500 Intel technology partners from Asia Pacific and Japan met in Singapore this week at the 2014 Intel Solutions Summit (ISS).

This week’s event is the fourth of five on the global ISS schedule, the company’s largest partner event.

Ferhad Patel, director, reseller channel organization (RCO), Asia Pacific and Japan at Intel said that, the computing industry is undergoing rapid transformation, and that this presents a diverse and growing range of opportunities for the company’s channel partners.

"Intel’s strategy is to embrace computing in all its forms," said Patel. "We are taking Intel Architecture into new markets, like IoT, while the 2 in 1 form factor is expanding into new verticals like education."

"Meanwhile, compelling new form factors such as mini PCs and all-in-ones (AIOs) are challenging traditional assumptions about desktops and driving renewed excitement," Patel said.

Intel on Wednesday launched the newest offering in its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) product line - the first to be powered by an Intel Atom E3815 processor (based on the company’s 'Bay Trail' architecture).

The new NUC, model DE3815TYKH, is designed with thin client applications in mind. It features a fan-less design, on board eMMC memory, and the space savings of a 4”x4” motherboard.

With the ability to directly power a LCD monitor through an onboard eDP connector, the new NUC is a great solution for kiosks, point-of-sale and digital signage. It also is expected to be relevant to the space-constraints of modern Asia’s urban homes.

Intel also announced the first APJ partners for its recently-introduced Education 2 in 1, Intel’s first ever education-targeted reference design using the 2 in 1 form factor.

A learning tool designed with students in mind, the Intel Education 2 in 1 has the flexibility and mobility of a tablet plus the performance and productivity of a laptop, giving students the best of both worlds in one device.

The Intel Education 2 in 1 is a powerful learning platform that features affordable tools such as a snap-on magnification lens and a temperature sensor, which work with the Intel Education Software suite to enable experiments that inspire student curiosity and promote inquiry.

The Intel Education 2 in 1 is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor Z3740D, runs Windows 8.1, and provides up to 7.8 hours of battery life as a tablet and an optional 3+ hours of additional battery life when docked1.

With its ruggedized, durable design, the Intel Education 2 in 1 is designed to withstand drops of up to 70 cm and is water and dust resistant2, which ensures the device can stand up to hands-on learning inside and outside the classroom.

Intel Technology Partners Leader (Australia), Viper (Pakistan), Connoisseur (India), Supreme (Thailand), publisher Felta (Philippines) and systems integrator EM Harrisma (Indonesia) will offer the Intel Education 2 in 1 to schools in their market.

Theo Kristoris, managing director Leader Computers, said the company first partnered with Intel back in 1996.

"Most recently we have worked together to revolutionize technology within the education sector through the creation of Intel’s first ever Education specific 2 in 1, a device with the flexibility and mobility of a tablet and the performance and productivity of a laptop – it really has the power to change the way students learn," Kristoris said.

Intel also is actively pursuing a range of solutions, from the edge device to the cloud, that address the growing opportunities presented by IoT, Patel said.

Moreover, the company recently announced availability of the Intel Gateway Solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), a family of integrated solutions based on Intel Quark SoC X1000 Series and Atom processors, in addition to a Galileo-based development platform.

These platforms enable businesses to reduce costs and offer new services by unlocking valuable data from legacy systems that were not connected to each other or the cloud.

Turning to other smart, connected devices that help make up the IoT, Intel Edison technology is on track for availability later this year, the company recently said.

At this year’s Solutions Summit, 27 businesses celebrated 15 years as Intel Technology Partners.

Kim Dong Woo, Department Manager with Korea’s E-Tron said, "We value this network and find the Intel Solutions Summit to be a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with other leaders in the channel. The unparalleled access to Intel executives, trends and product roadmaps has allowed us to stay ahead of our competitors."

"As the desktop market changes in Korea we’ve been able to work with Intel as part of the partner network to re-invigorate the desktop segment offering custom NUC units developed by us for our customers. This new market wouldn’t have been possible without Intel or the partner network," Kim said.