Intel Builds e-Business Alliances Across The Country With Solution Provider Forum

Mounts Multi-City Tour with Compaq and Microsoft to Meet with Hundreds of Web Integrators

NEW YORK, July 20, 2000 -- Intel Corporation launched the "Intel e-Business Solution Provider Forum" here today, an 11 city, three-month tour to build relationships and provide training to Web integrators nationwide. Joined by Compaq Computer and Microsoft, the Forum will bring together working groups of Web developers, Web integrators and Web consultants looking for standardized e-Business Solutions, tested servers stacks, business development and co-marketing opportunities and training.

"The information technology industry is largely organized in horizontal layers," said John Davies, vice president, Intel Architecture Group, and general manager of the Solutions Channels Group. "This layered model delivers tremendous flexibility and great value, but the pieces must be integrated in order for e-Commerce to work. Web integrators are key players in bringing all the components together. Intel's aim is to provide Web integration experts with the products, tools, resources and technical information they need to offer the best e-Business solutions to their customers."

"The lack of scalable, tested server stack solutions that can be applied across multiple businesses has required many e-Business solution providers to design custom solutions on a project basis," said Ray Villareal, vice president and general manager, Global Alliances, Compaq Computer. "We look forward to working with Web integrators to make it easier for them to provide solutions to the end-customer."

"We know that the combination of Intel-based servers provided by Compaq and others, along with Microsoft Internet platform solutions, are helping drive cost-effective innovation in the new economy," said Peter Boit, vice president of e-Business Solutions at Microsoft. "This road show enables us to educate a new population of solution providers on the benefits the Intel/Microsoft platform provides."

Intel eBSP Program
Today's tour announcement is part of a wider Intel effort called the Intel e-Business Solution Provider (eBSP) Program, which was announced in February. The goal of the Intel eBSP Program is to work with leading Web integrators to develop a "best of breed" e-Commerce integration framework, operating on Intel architecture-based systems, for companies setting up business on the Internet. The Intel eBSP Program provides Web integrators with training and certification, business development opportunities, matchmaking with Intel's 50,000 worldwide resellers and channel members through the Intel e-Business network, and co-marketing efforts. Companies that have already joined the Intel eBSP Program include Agency.com, iXL, U.S. Interactive and Modem Media.

e-Business Solution Provider Forum
The Intel e-Business Solution Provider Forum will take place in 11 cities, including New York, Atlanta, Reston (Virginia), Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Miami, Boston, and Dallas. It is expected that about 150 e-Business solution providers (including IT professionals and management) will attend the half-day seminars to learn about Internet enablement, security management, capacity optimization, e-Commerce capabilities, and e-Business engagement wins. Sessions will be taught by representatives from Intel, Compaq, and Microsoft.

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