Intel enterprise platform debuts

Intel unveiled today its first enterprise platform brand. The new platform, vPro, will include Active Management Technology, virtualization, the upcoming Conroe microprocessor and the Intel Core 64-bit processor.

“We think it’s time to reinvent the desktop,” said Paul Otellini, chief executive officer at Intel. The popularity of laptop computers compared with desktop computers partially spurred the company’s development of the platform, he said. VPro will focus on three key categories: built-in management capabilities, proactive security and energy efficiency.

Intel’s Active Management Technology hardware allows applications to continue functioning even when something tries to shut them down, either forcibly by an attack or when a patch is applied that requires antivirus software to be disabled for installation.

Symantec — whose CEO was present to support the announcement — will work with Intel to develop a security solution consisting of a virtualized isolated environment outside the main PC operating system to allow better, more proactive security.

Intel officials said the Conroe microprocessors offer twice the relative performance of Pentium 4 chips and nearly four times the performance per watt, a metric that gauges power usage in comparison to processing power.

“By announcing the brand today…we’re giving the enterprise customers enough time to test the technology,” said Tom Kilroy, an Intel vice president and general manager of the Digital Enterprise Group. “It also allows us to promote the brand.”

Conroe microprocessors and vPro will be available in the third quarter of this year. They are currently in beta tests with private businesses.