Taking Intel® vPro™ To the Streets
07 Jan 2008
EDS Introduces Intel® vPro™ Processor Technology To Its Clients
If a computer fails in the woods and there's no one there to see it, is the screen still blue?
For companies that use personal computers (PCs) to operate machinery in remote locations, like lumberyards or oil fields, the question isn't just philosophical; it's reality. When a hard to reach PC goes down, it can take hours, even days, for a technician to get there and repair the machine.
But with vPro, the latest innovative technology EDS is working on with Global Alliance partner Intel, such a repair can be done remotely. Intel® vPro™ and Intel® Centrino® Pro processor technology incorporates remote management capabilities and virtualization technology into the hardware of a machine. So, when a PC crashes, no matter where it is located, a technician can fix the problem without leaving his desk.
This new technology incorporates never-before-available remote management capabilities and virtualization technology into the hardware of a machine. So, when a PC crashes, no matter where it is located, a technician can diagnose and potentially fix the problem without leaving his desk.
Having remote control over hardware can be a huge benefit to EDS and Intel clients. From easily fixing computer problems to greater energy efficiency, Intel vPro processor technology for desktop PCs and the notebook equivalent Intel Centrino Pro processor technology connect directly to business issues, including innovation, that EDS clients face every day.
“Depending on the client's business environments and issues, almost everyone we've talked to sees a different benefit [with Intel vPro processor technology],” said Jill Tillery, Intel alliance director for EDS.
For some, the main benefit is the energy cost savings that comes with the ability to more securely and reliably remotely power a PC on and off. Typically, companies run patches on PCs when there's downtime at night. Today, those PCs have to be left on overnight to be updated.
“They're burning a lot of electricity today to ensure that off-hour updates are successful,” Tillery said.
Since Intel began developing the technology more than three years ago, EDS has worked closely with the company from development to client demos to activations.
“At Intel, we're experts at building processors, but when it comes to management and security, we thought EDS would be great to work with because of their background in that space,” said Gary Kirtley, EDS alliance director for Intel.
“Together, we're bringing innovation to both EDS customers and Intel customers.”
Intel vPro processor technology is one innovative technology EDS is investing in for growth, which is an enterprise goal for EDS in 2007.
Demonstrating Intel vPro
When EDS demonstrated the new hardware capabilities to a leading global mobile electronics and systems technology company, the client was impressed that it could remotely power machines on and off.
“A light bulb turned on when the client saw they could remotely lock down a PC to protect intellectual property,” said Jerry Steenson, an EDS global service delivery executive.
Another major selling point was improved user productivity and less downtime.
The EDS team staged a hard drive crash scenario to show that with Intel vPro processor technology, the PC can be brought back up in thin client mode so that the user can access the Web and company network even if the PC's hard drive is down. Productivity is not completely lost.
“Gone will be the day when an employee calls in a PC problem and his or her day is done,” Tillery said.
The mobile electronics company and Client EDS – specifically a call center in Winnipeg, Canada – are the first production pilot scenarios using Intel vPro processor technology.
The pilot programs will tell EDS and the users of the technology where to go from here and how fast it can be implemented across the enterprise. Insights gained will help Intel and EDS plan for future releases of the Intel vPro and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology – as far out as 2010.
“We [Intel] are already in labs with EDS, working on tomorrow's technology and we will continue to do so,” Kirtley said.
EDS expects to lower costs and save time at its call center in Winnipeg through the improved remote functionality, including remote re-imaging of machines.
At the end of a PC lease, before returning a machine to the vendor, the hard drive must be wiped. “Today, we sometimes pay a substantial amount of money per machine,” said Bruce Weeks, service delivery executive for Client EDS.
With the new PCs, re-imaging and disk wipes can be done without having to send a technical person to do it onsite, which can take hours. The whole process can be done remotely, which saves a lot of time and money.
EDS and Intel Worked Together On Intel vPro
EDS first got involved with Intel vPro processor technology while it was still in the development phase. EDS took the new hardware into its Top Gun program while it was still being developed and provided Intel with feedback on its technology.
“[The relationship with Intel] represents how we should be working with our Alliance partners,” said Jeff Wade, lead architect.
Intel and EDS have worked together through every phase to get Intel vPro processor technology where it is today. From development, bringing the technology to customers, and finally putting it into production, EDS and Intel have been a team.
“No other company is as involved as we are,” Wade said.
EDS' level of involvement puts its understanding of the technology at least six to 12 months ahead of the competition. And the collaboration benefits Intel to have another channel for market intelligence.
“Through talking to clients and working with Intel [EDS] can say to Intel: ‘This is what companies are really looking for,'” said Liesa Harkness, engineer.
Deploying Intel vPro On Every Business PC
As hardware producers come out with new models, eventually Intel vPro and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology could be in the hardware of every deployed business PC.
“Now it's the newest thing, but over time it will become standard,” Tillery said.
However, in order for enterprises to take advantage of it, there has to be a change in business processes.
“We're working together on the ground floor on this,” Harkness said. “When this technology is across the board, [EDS will be] a couple of years ahead of the game.”