Intel and Microsoft plan to come up with a point-based channel incentive program. The aim of the program will be to get Intel’s Technology Provider partners to upgrade the 600 million PCs in use today which are five or more years old to the new Skylake-Windows 10 platform.
Intel Skylake to give users a new PC experience
The new program will be available through Intel distributors.
Speaking to CRN, Intel North America Channel Director Todd Garrigues said, “This is a very positive thing for the channel. This is going to move partners to move forward with sixth-gen, Core, Windows 10-based solutions. There are really cool solutions in terms of productivity, security, battery life and other features.”
According to Garrigues, the customers will be able to enjoy a new PC experience because of the combination of Intel’s Skylake processors, which were unveiled last summer, and Microsoft’s Windows 10 OS. An example of this is Microsoft’s Cortana voice recognition software, which utilizes Skylake’s enhanced CPU processing audio pipeline.
Intel’s Skylake chips include Kernel Mode Code Integrity (KMCI) enforcement features that check each kernel-mode driver for a digital signature, thus offering better security. On the server side, Skylake contains Virtual Trusted Platform Module (TPM). This means that its chips are secure crypto-processors designed for carrying out cryptographic operations.
About the program
Intel informed CRN that North American custom builders will earn points when they purchase Intel’s sixth-generation Core i5 or Core i7 components and Windows 10 Pro. The partners first need to be active Gold or Platinum Intel Technology Providers, and then they will become eligible to earn points. Training, collateral and resource kits for reseller partners will be included in the initiative to help them showcase the benefits of refreshing PCs. The promotion will kick off this week and run until June 30.
Douglas Grosfield founder and CEO of Five Nines IT Solutions, told CRN that Intel has always been very creative about creating interest in the ever-changing PC landscape. The pace of Windows 10 adoption is accelerating, and the chip maker has a tight partnership and integration with Microsoft that aligns very well with it.
At 10:12 a.m. Eastern, Intel shares were up 0.79% at $32.63. Year to date, the stock is down by almost 7%, while in the last year, it is up by almost 4%.
