IBM and Intel Forge Broad Alliance to Reduce Computing Costs; Advanced Manageability Alliance Includes Ongoing Development and Product Integration for Commercial Desktop Systems.

SOMERS, N.Y, and HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1996-- IBM(R) and Intel Corporation today announced a broad-based effort to significantly reduce the support costs of high-performance PCs in networked environments.

In their Advanced Manageability Alliance, the two companies will work together to define, develop, integrate and deliver standards-based solutions that enable customers to simplify the installation, configuration and management of networked PCs.

In the first stage of the alliance, Intel will incorporate Wake On LAN remote management capability into its Fast Ethernet LAN adapters and LANDesk(R) Client Manager software. IBM PC Company will incorporate those Intel products into its commercial desktop computers featuring Pentium(R) Pro and Pentium processors, which will be available in the first quarter of 1997.

The Advanced Manageability Alliance draws from the industry- leading expertise of each company -- Intel in desktop management and networking technology, IBM in personal computers and networked systems -- to reduce the complexity of installing and managing networked PCs. The effort focuses on three areas:

-- PC networking management hardware, such as IBM's Wake on LAN capability and Intel's Fast Ethernet silicon technology.

-- PC management software, including products and technologies from both companies.

-- PC systems, including ongoing platform innovations across the spectrum of performance and flexibility.

The companies' already-extensive work to integrate a wide range of management-enhancing elements -- processors, platform instrumentation, LAN adapters, Wake On LAN capability, PC diagnostics and configuration management products -- into IBM commercial systems will deliver unprecedented levels of manageability. As a result of these efforts, customers will be able to:

-- use integrated PC diagnostics to reduce service calls and downtime 

-- simplify desktop administration and client installation and upgrades

-- prevent system failures with an alert management system

-- enable their IT organizations to provide system administration during non-office hours

-- track PC and network assets

-- reduce support costs for networked PCs

-- lower their total cost of ownership.

Furthermore, IBM and Intel are cooperating on next-generation technologies and products that will make the installation, configuration and upgrade process easier for both new and existing enterprise PCs. This work will include enabling corporate PCs to be controlled by two new software products on deck from the companies: IBM's LAN Client Control Manager and Intel's LANDesk Configuration Manager.

This new work will complement the companies' joint efforts to integrate enterprise systems and desktop management capabilities, involving the Tivoli Systems TME 10 NetFinity product and Intel's LANDesk management products.

"Our customers are demanding that we make their personal computers and business systems more manageable," said Sam Palmisano, general manager, IBM PC Company. "With the combined resources of IBM and Intel, we are able to deliver more robust solutions to meet our customers' expectations. While many of the solutions will start from the research and development that IBM and Intel will do, we will work with the rest of the industry to assure we deliver open solutions."

"The IBM-Intel Advanced Manageability Alliance recognizes that organizations require adaptable, connected PCs to run their business successfully and also need to control support costs," said Frank Gill, executive vice president, Intel. "By addressing the critical needs for both functionality and manageability, IBM and Intel are setting a course that others in the industry can follow. As another step in Intel's Wired for Management initiative, this work furthers our effort to reduce the total cost of ownership without sacrificing necessary flexibility and performance."

The joint efforts by IBM and Intel mean customers will have faster access to highly manageable, adaptable systems that meet the demands of businesses. In addition, the products developed through the Advanced Manageability Alliance will be incorporated into future products from each of these companies. By taking this leadership role, IBM and Intel aim to lower the overall total cost of ownership and increase the strategic value of networked personal computers.

Additional information about IBM's Personal Computer Company and its products is available on the Internet via the IBM Personal Computer Company Home Page at http://www.pc.ibm.com.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is committed to advancing the managed, connected PC for high-performance business computing while reducing management and support costs. Information about Intel is available from the company's site on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.intel.com./pressroom. -0-

Note to Editors: IBM, LAN Client Control Manager and TME 10 NetFinity are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Intel, Pentium, and LANDesk are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Intel Corp.

Mike Green, 503/264-7550

[e-mail]

or

IBM

Brynett Stephen, 914/766-3317; [e-mail]

Joe Versace, 914/766-3457; [e-mail]