Dell dismisses Intel's proprietary vPro platform

By Tom Sanders on Nov 9, 2006 9:48 AM
Filed under Hardware

Computer maker prefers open standards over vendor lock-in.

Dell will adopt a wait-and-see approach to creating an Intel vPro business desktop platform because the standard is lacking in openness, the computer maker said.

Intel launched its vPro platform in April. Built around Intel's proprietary Active Management Technology, vPro aims to help enterprises manage desktop computers.

The platform offers policy enforcement as well as remote access to desktop systems to perform maintenance tasks.

The chipmaker has also published APIs that allow third-party applications to interact with the software. Partners creating vPro compatible management software include Computer Associates, HP OpenView and Symantec.

"We think that the capabilities in vPro are very promising. They solve a lot of customer needs," Margaret Franco, director for the OptiPlex line of business at Dell, told vnunet.com.

"But when customers really start deploying [management] technology, we think it will be in a new industry standard format."

OptiPlex is Dell's line of enterprise desktop systems that was recently expanded with the first AMD powered desktop.

Instead of an Intel controlled technology, Dell is looking to use technologies that can be used on both Intel and AMD systems, Franco explained.

"Obviously [Intel] wants branded vPro, but there should be a communication mechanism such that the industry can innovate within that open standard," she said.

Instead of adopting Intel's vPro, Dell is deploying management technologies defined by the Distributed Management Task Force standards body, such as the Alert Standards Format 2.0 and standards currently under development by the Desktop and Mobile Work Group.

Franco declined to comment on Dell's plans to ship vPro enabled desktops, but said that the introduction of vPro systems would hinge on customer demand.

Intel spokeswoman Agnes Kwan said that the chipmaker is happy with vPro progress, pointing at the number of software vendors that provide vPro software as well as hardware vendors selling the systems.

"We have a number of OEMs lined up and a long list of ISVs to produce software for these technologies," Kwan told vnunet.com.