AMD has been in the news recently for a variety of
reasons. Its processor heating and packaging problems generated lots of press
coverage, and the company has been constantly compared unfavorably with the
market leader Intel. Now, however, with the launch of technologically advanced
products like Opteron processor, the Indian market has begun to change its
perspective. At the recent launch of AMD Opteron, Sanjeev Keskar,
country manager (India), shared his views on this new 64-bit family of
processors and its positioning in the Indian marketplace. Excerpts:
Sanjeev
Keskar
l As
the AMD Opteron will be targeted at enterprises, what role will the channels
play?
The target markets for the AMD Opteron processor include large enterprises,
small and medium businesses, Government, and educational institutions—both for
1-8 way server solutions and for 1-4 way workstation solutions. These markets
are addressed by server OEMs as well as white box (assembled) server builders.
As regards the latter, AMD in India is looking towards training for server
builders later this month.
l What
are the initiatives planned by AMD to promote and create awareness on Opteron?
We are holding customer seminar series for the government and commercial
customers, sharing AMD’s 64-bit vision and elaborating on how Opteron is the
ideal solution to make a seamless and cost effective transition to 64 bit
computing. Besides working with local OEMs we are targeting white box server
builders through a series of training events and we are also working at direct
marketing and advertising programs.
l When
do you see the Indian market upgrading to the 64-bit family?
We believe that there are companies who are already looking for powerful yet
cost effective solutions that will give them the flexibility to migrate to 64
bit at their own pace. And moving forward the number of such companies will grow
further as their dataset volumes and application demands grow. There is
tremendous potential even for white box server builders in this space.
l With
backward compatibility available for 32 bit computing, how cost effective will
the new AMD Opteron be for the Indian market?
AMD Opteron offers best-in-class 32-bit performance today and the opportunity to
migrate to 64 bit without compromise at no additional costs. Essentially you get
a 64 bit ready processor and 32 bit server processor price points.
l When
is AMD planning to start the training programs for the channel? What will be the
agenda of this training program?
The program would start in the third week of May. Training will include basics
of 64 bit computing, AMD Opteron processor technology overview, server building
skills using AMD Opteron processors etc.
l With
the launch of new 64-bit family, according to you what is AMD’s standing today
in the Indian market?
With the launch of the Opteron processor, AMD has reiterated its technology
leadership. Also, with its unique proposition the Opteron offers us a whole new
opportunity to effectively address the needs of server customers in India
through OEM alliances and white box vendors.
l Finally
what are AMD’s plans for the mobile computing space? Are there any plans to
tie up with an OEM and launch this technology?
We are in constant discussion with all leading server OEMs and due to the
compelling feature-benefits offered by this new technology several top OEMs have
expressed their intent to launch systems based on AMD Opteron processors.
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