Intel's vPro takes aim at Australia enterprise desktops

08.09.2006
Intel Corp. officially launched its vPro PC architecture to the Australian market yesterday, saying the new technology will alleviate client software and security management.

A vPro-compliant system incorporates a combination of the Core 2 Duo processor, Intel's Active Management Technology (AMT) and virtualization technology, the new Q965 Express chipset, Intel's gigabit networking.

Among other things, the technology lets desktop administrators remotely control software updates and patches, isolate the machine from the network, and turn the machine on and off.

Intel's customer solutions group regional manager, Brett Hannath said speed is not the primary reason enterprises buy desktops, but rather the ease with which they can be managed and secured.

The company is hoping that enterprises' requests for tenders for PC fleets will include vPro as a standard requirement.

"Software can manage fleets of PCs but if the PC is off, can these tools respond?" Hannath queried. "With vPro, companies can check their assets even if the power is off. IT departments can wake up PCs, push updates, and then shut them down, all overnight."