IBM Announces Powerful Network Ready Highly-Managed Commercial Desktop PC
New Asset ID Offering Features Radio-Frequency Technology
Research Triangle Park, N.C (April 15, 1998) – IBM* today announced its new highly-managed PC 300PL, the first IBM PC based on Intel**’s BX core chip set. The IBM PC 300PL is the first PC to feature IBM Asset ID*, a new deployment, inventory and security system based on radio-frequency technology, and IBM Alert on LAN*, a new manageability technology developed through the IBM/Intel Advanced Manageability Alliance. Both of these new technologies demonstrate IBM’s industry-leading systems-management capabilities, which are helping customers to lower the total cost of running their networks.
The new IBM PC 300PL features the Intel Pentium** II processor, and is available in 266, 300, 333 or the new 350 and 400 MHz (1) versions announced today. The new system is based on Intel’s BX core chip set with 100 MHz front side bus speed and comes standard with up to 64 MB (2) SDRAM. The PC 300PL comes with enhanced integrated S3 Trio3D graphics which features 4MB standard 100 MHz SGRAM and an AGP 2 (accelerated graphics port) connector slot for expansion.
The initial purchase price of a PC today is on average only 15 percent of the total cost of running that system for a typical business,” said Rod Adkins, general manager, IBM Desktop Systems. “With the new IBM PC 300PL, we’ve combined our industry-leading systems management with the latest available technology to help customers maximize their investment, while minimizing their costs.”
ASSET ID
IBM Asset ID is a new hardware and software technology that utilizes radio frequency technology to help customers in three critical areas – – – inventory, deployment and security. For most customers, the costs of system deployment and losses due to theft are a significant portion of the total cost of owning a PC, and Asset ID will help reduce that cost.
Through a handheld (3) radio frequency unit, customers can write end-user information … serial number, model number, processor speed, memory … and software requirements on a system EEPROM while the PC is still in the carton. This unique Asset ID PC deployment system helps customers eliminate many of the costly, time-consuming , manual steps involved in the typical deployment process.
IBM Asset ID also allows customers to take accurate physical inventories of systems and their components without searching for a label or opening the chassis. By passing the handheld unit near the box, system information can be read in detail. Physical inventory can be completed by simply walking around, without crawling under desks or shifting cables to record PC serial numbers.
When used in conjunction with a compatible radio-frequency security system, Asset ID also allows customers to track the movement of systems and help prevent the unauthorized removal of a PC from the customer’s premises. Using a portable scanner, security personnel can scan both an employee’s badge and an Asset-ID enabled PC, to log the system and its contents and to determine if movement is authorized.
Source: IBM