Intel celebrates a year of growth
Intel Semiconductor has had a busy year, including the launch of its MMX technology, the Pentium II processor and the recent announcement of a joint project with Hewlett-Packard to develop 64-bit technology.
'From a purely numbers perspective, we have done well with good growth in all areas. From a product perspective it has been our biggest product transition to date and the biggest year for initiatives,' said Thomas Lacey, Intel's director of product marketing and business, Asia-Pacific.
Intel has also introduced 30 networking products on to the market.
'It ties in strategically with our range of microprocessors and the growth of the Internet/Intranet and Ethernet,' Mr Lacey said.
Intel has also expanded its Asia-Pacific operations, with the addition of 10 new offices in Pakistan, New Zealand, Vietnam, India, China and Indonesia.
'This area has the fastest growth rate in terms of revenue and investment in the world,' he said.
One of Intel's major initiatives this year has been in localised software.
It has hired local script writers in several Asian countries to write software in local languages.
To date, 25 localised programmes have been developed. Intel is also providing a service, matching overseas software providers with local distributors, and has helped to introduce 30 different titles.
The company believes there will be strong growth in electronic commerce in the next year.
'We will be introducing microprocessors and networking products that focus on and assist with electronic commerce over the internet,' Mr Lacey said.
'There will be strong growth from the small and medium-size business sector and we will be focusing both on spaces and providing initiatives such as seminars, campaigns and training during 1998.' Intel also predicts the completion of the Pentium II processor initiative by the end of next year.
'We call it the top-to-bottom completion with all computers from low end to high end having the Pentium Processor II technology and the benefits this brings by the end of next year,' he said.
The company will also continue to work on its 64-bit technology, called Merced, and is set to introduce it in 1999.
'In 1999, our major initiative will be to work with software application providers to develop technology and to focus on development,' Mr Lacey said.
Intel's initial customer focus for the 64-bit technology will be on workstations and servers but it is also intent on bringing the product down into the high volume desktop market.
'The 32-bit system still has a long life and will live in parallel with the 64-bit system as the systems offer different price-based performance,' he said.
