Network of e-business labs part of bid to spark server computer sales

Intel is overlooking the economic slowdown as it launches a worldwide network of joint e-business labs in a bid to spark demand for server computers based on its latest Pentium chips.

The semiconductor giant expects to push into fresh markets, where vendors of Risc (reduced instruction set computing) processor-based servers, such as Sun Microsystems, have taken the lead.

According to Intel officials, half of the 30 planned joint e-business labs will be set up in the Asia-Pacific in the next few weeks. One of the first was launched by Intel in Hong Kong last week, with local partners Automated Systems Holdings (ASL), iMerchants and Jardine OneSolution.

The joint labs form part of Intel's accelerated technology deployment programme, which encourages companies to develop, optimise and deploy e-business systems that run on advanced Pentium processors. The Internet's infrastructure relies on server-based computer networks, which also allow business activities to be conducted online.

'Our role is to enable companies to compete in the global e-business marketplace with our technologies,' said John Davies, director of the semiconductor firm's Intel architecture solutions channels group.

'We work with solution providers - such as iMerchants, ASL and Jardine OneSolution - to create profitable and efficient e-business environments.'