AMD (NYSE: AMD) today unveiled AMD Validated Solutions (AVS), a
new initiative that represents a significant evolution of the
company's channel offerings. Designed to help solution providers
deliver competitive, leading-edge commercial systems based on AMD64
technology, AVS addresses a growing need for best-of-breed platform
provider solutions. The new program provides rigorous platform
validation and testing, as well as post-sales service and support, all
directly from AMD.
"AMD is dedicated to the success of our channel partners, who are
a critical means to reach commercial end users, and the AMD Validated
Solutions program is a vital commitment to their needs," said Marty
Seyer, senior vice president, Commercial Segment, AMD. "We are
continuing to foster best-of-breed client and server solutions for the
channel as our commercial footprint expands with large, mid-size and
small businesses. AVS illustrates AMD's collaborative approach to
formulating solutions for our customers, especially how that approach
enables us to deliver the right products to the market at the right
time."
As part of today's announcement, four motherboards leveraging AMD
Commercial Stable Image Platform (CSIP) chipsets immediately become
the first solutions to be validated under and supported by the AVS
program, directly benefiting participants in the AMD Solution Provider
program. Next year, validated server platforms will be added.
The AVS motherboards provide an easy way for solution providers to
assemble commercial desktop systems from a host of stable socket
AM2-based processors from AMD, along with chipsets and stable drivers
from platform providers. AMD solution providers offering AVS
commercial desktop solutions based on CSIP chipsets include Compusys
Plc., Equus, Maxdata, Polywell, Seanix, Wortmann AG and ZT Group.
"Solution providers must be able to offer world-class service,
support and delivery of quality products and solutions to their
customers to maintain a competitive edge within the market," said
Janet Waxman, vice president of Hardware Channels research for IDC.
"AMD Validated Solutions enables them to compete more effectively by
alleviating some of the speculation and testing of the system building
process. This allows these partners to focus more of their time on
selling and supporting their customer's commercial desktop systems
needs and requirements."
Additionally, AMD teamed with motherboard providers Asus, ECS and
MSI to bring AVS desktop platforms to the channel. These motherboards,
now available for order through distribution, leverage the CSIP
chipsets from NVIDIA Corporation and ATI Technologies, delivering
socket AM2 platforms with a defined 15-month stability period that
began on Sept. 1, 2006.
"Organizations today want the peace of mind of knowing the
technology they're using to drive their business consists of the most
dependable, functional products available," said Phil Eisler, senior
vice president and general manager, Integrated and Mobile Business
Unit, ATI Technologies Inc. "The AMD Validated Solutions program helps
ensure that socket AM2 motherboards using ATI Radeon Xpress chipsets
receive that stamp of approval. As a result of the bolstered service
and support for AVS socket AM2 motherboards, we're confident we can
deliver an even greater level of stability, reliability and service to
business customers."
"We have experienced great success with our NVIDIA Business
Platform built upon the stable CPU roadmap of AMD CSIP, and the
addition of the AMD Validated Solutions program with its comprehensive
service and support infrastructure is very promising," said Drew
Henry, general manager of the MCP business group at NVIDIA. "NVIDIA
will continue to work closely with AMD to provide certified NVIDIA
Business Platform PCs with the stability, quality and reliability that
our customers demand for commercial desktop solutions."
Web- and telephone-based service and support for the new AVS
desktop platforms, including board-level RMA (returned merchandise
authorization) and cross-ship services, will be offered beginning Oct.
2, 2006 through AMD Technical Service Centers to AMD solution
providers in Canada, the United States and in select Western European
countries. Introduction of the AVS program into other countries, as
well as the introduction of AVS server platforms, is planned for 2007.
For more information about the new AMD Validated Solutions program,
please go to http://www.amd.com/validated.
About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of
innovative microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and
consumer electronics markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to
delivering superior computing solutions based on customer needs that
empower users worldwide. For more information visit www.amd.com.
AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, and combinations thereof, are trademarks
of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational
purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
