Techno Blogging

AMD has a winning portfolio of products

by VARINDIA 2010-09-24

Can you update on the latest technology offerings (CPU + GPU = APU)?

AMD recently unveiled its Fusion Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) codenamed "Zacate", a new dual-core, 18-watt TDP processor containing discrete-level graphics capabilities which dramatically improve the user's PC experience. The product, focussed on creating value for mainstream notebooks and desktops, will bring many of the vivid digital computing experiences once reserved for high-end PCs into the opening price points of the mainstream segment.

"Zacate" has the following features, which were demonstrated at its unveiling to emphasize on the ultimate consumers experience that it would provide:

Full HD streaming online video, showcasing the versatility of the "Zacate" APU-based platform to handle the most demanding multimedia tasks
Immersive online gaming with high image-quality settings, demonstrating the DirectX 11-compliant "Zacate" APU-based platform
Preview of accelerated Internet browsing, showing how "Zacate" APU-based platforms support the future of GPU-enabled web browsing today and how these platforms perform side-by-side against currently available AMD and Intel processor-based notebooks

What about channel expansion plan & go-to-market strategy?

We, at AMD, believe that it is important to educate, train and reward our channel partners so that they guide the customers in their PC buying decisions and give them the best possible solutions according to their needs. Keeping this in mind, AMD has recently announced its new SMART channel programme focussed on the final tier SI Partners/System Builders. Under our SMART channel programme, we have a select set of SI/System Builder partners who are champions of AMD technology. These partners are completely knowledgeable on the 3As, i.e. AMD CPUs, AMD Chipsets and AMD graphics and help the customers get the best-in-class PCs, which offer the maximum value for their investment.

Moreover, we also follow a UNIQUE approach of recognizing and rewarding our partners. Our channel partners are accredited under the AMD's globally recognized Fusion Partner Programme, which has various tiers like Elite, Premier and Select under which we group our partners.

How do you forecast future technology? How you see channel to promote AMD?

AMD has a winning portfolio of products across desktops, laptops and servers. Our portfolio of Chipsets, CPUs and Graphics ensure that every customer gets the right combination of products depending on their usage models. Moreover, we offer our customers the right price/performance solution for every user; whether it is in the form of the most affordable 64-bit CPU in Sempron, the most affordable triple and quad core CPU for laptops or the powerful yet affordable six core CPUs for desktops. The combination of cutting-edge AMD processors and ATI Graphics lets the customer enjoy a remarkably vivid and smooth visual experience.

Further, to help channel partners educate the customer on choosing their PC, we also introduced the Vision Technology which is a recommended combination of CPU, Chipset and Graphics that customer should look out for in their desktop/laptop when they are buying their PC.

This is where our SMART channel programme comes to play. It is aimed at taking our Vision technology offering successfully to the market. There is a set of chosen channel partners in each of the markets across the country who have complete understanding of the AMD technologies - Chipset, CPU, GPU. These partners are able to communicate the price/performance benefits to the customers and help ensure customer get the best AMD-based desktop or laptop depending on their usage model.

While these partners help ensure that there are delighted customers who are buying the right AMD technology-based desktop and/or laptop, AMD ensures that they have the right sales and marketing support, training, merchandising and reward programmes which would help them in the long run.