IBM IntelliStation Sets New Performance Benchmark
IntelliStation M Pro Beats Hewlett Packard; lowers prices by 20%
ORLANDO, Fl (July 21, 1998) – . IBM* today announced that its powerful IntelliStation* M Pro has achieved a new record for 3D OpenGL graphics, with a value score of $59/CDRS-03 (1), easily beating Hewlett Packard’s value score of $78/CDRS (2), a 20% difference. The Windows*** NT-based IBM IntelliStation first broke below the $100 per CDRS composite barrier in February 1998 with a value score of $91/CDRS-03, and continues to set the pace by offering IntelliStation customers higher applications performance, at a consistently lower cost.
IBM also announced today that it was lowering prices on select IntelliStation M Pro and IntelliStation E Pro models by as much as 20%.
IBM’s aggressive pricing for the IBM IntelliStatoin M Pro and IntelliStation E Pro is a result of the continued efficiencies IBM is achieving under its Advanced Fulfillment Initiative (AFI). Designed to streamline operations and reduce costs, AFI is built around the IBM Authorized Assembler Program and includes such initiatives as products being designed for quick assembly in the channel, resellers co-locating operations at IBM facilities and parts suppliers shipping directly to IBM resellers.
The IBM IntelliStation line delivers maximum computation and graphic performance to users of 3D design, animation, rendering, publishing, mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD), electronic design automation (EDA) and financial applications, as demonstrated at Siggraph 98, an industry computer graphics show held here this week.
“The IBM IntelliStation gives our customers the flexibility and robustness they need to be creative,” said Bob Bennett, entertainment product manager, Alias/Wavefront. “Our customers work on some of the most demanding computer graphics challenges imaginable and the IntelliStation helps them to never miss a beat.”
New Technology
As previously announced, the IntelliStation M Pro and IntelliStation E Pro will be joined in the third quarter 1998 by a new IBM IntelliStation product based on Intel’s recently announced Pentium***II Xeon*** microprocessor. This newest IntelliStation promises
to be IBM’s highest performance NT-based workstation yet, designed to meet the needs of customers who require the best performance available.
“Higher performance, lower prices and innovative manageability features that address the total cost of ownership allow the IBM IntelliStation to deliver unprecedented value to professional workstation users,” said Dr. Satish Gupta, general manager, Professional Workstation products. “With the addition of Pentium II Xeon microprocessors, the IntelliStation family of workstations will continue to deliver the highest level of application peformance and availability.”
Manageability
In addition to delivering high performance workstations at attractive prices, the IntelliStation family incorporates innovative manageability features that address the total cost of ownership.
The IntelliStation workstations are included in IBM’s cross-brand Universal Management initiative, a standards-based set of hardware and software instruments with value-added plug-ins specifically designed to help customers better deploy, manage, and protect their investments. The cornerstone of Universal Management is the Universal Management Agent (UMA), a standards-based framework that seamlessly integrates advanced management capabilities into heterogeneous environments (IBM and non-IBM systems). UMA operates both as a robust stand-alone application, or can natively plug into the customer’s enterprise management console of choice — such as Microsoft’s SMS, IBM’s Tivoli or Computer Associates’ Unicenter.
The IBM IntelliStations come standard with an array of manageability features designed to keep workstations up and running. IBM’s Wake on LAN*, Alert on LAN*, and LanClient Control Manager* (LCCM) allow for remote systems administration. Newer technologies include Asset ID (4), designed to help customers deploy and keep track of their inventories, and Smart Reaction* software which automatically backs up critical data in the event of hard drive failure. The Z Pro is also shipped with Intel’s LANDesk*** and IBM Netfinity* software, and is DMI 2.0 compliant.
IntelliStation Web Design Bundle
IBM also announced today the availability of the Web design machine, a bundled software and hardware solution that provides the tools a Web designer needs to create stunning and sophisticated Websites. As part of IBM’s commitment to providing the best technology available for Web designers, the Web design machine bundle includes some of the best of industry-standard software for Website design and management, an IBM IntelliStation M Pro workstation. Not included with the web bundle but recommended for purchase are such complimentary options as the IBM 21″ Professional Series monitor and an IBM flatbed color scanner.
The Web design machine is based upon the IBM IntelliStation M Pro, which offers the speed and comprehensive functionality Web designers need to run the powerful software necessary to work with graphics and Web tools. The comprehensive software package that comes with this special Web design solution consists of graphics and animation design tools and Website design and management tools from the industry leaders such as: Adobe Photoshop 5.0, Premiere 5.0, Illustrator 7.0, ImageReady 1.0, Macromedia Flash 3, and NetObjects Fusion 3.0 and the complimentary Fusion ProPack.
Source: IBM