Intel Sets Up Channel Base Camps

Online staff -- Electronic News, 8/1/2005

Intel Corp. has opened four platform definition centers around the world to define locally relevant computing solutions based on its technology.

The centers in Bangalore, India; Cairo, Egypt; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai, China will primarily serve the South Asian, Middle-East, African, Latin American, and East Asian regions, respectively.

Intel’s aim is for the definition centers to identify environmental considerations and marketplace requirements specific to each geographic region, such as inclement weather, intermittent power supply, or specialized content needs for consumers and small businesses. To do so, the company is staffing each center with local ethnographers, designers, solution engineers and systems architects who will conduct in-depth research and analysis to drive platform development.

"Each local market faces unique challenges, such as accessibility to technology, low literacy levels, lack of infrastructure or harsh environmental conditions,” said Bill Siu, VP and general manager of Intel’s recently formed Channel Platforms Group, in a statement. “Our local definition centers, as well as our integrated platform approach allow us to pinpoint these specific considerations and develop localized solutions that meet the distinctive needs of each individual market. We believe that by recognizing these factors and designing for and around them, we will stimulate PC adoption for the next one billion users."

In addition, Intel also announced that Shanghai will become its world headquarters for its Channel Platform Group.