Intel recently released its new 'vPro' business desktop PC platform. Intel said it provides energy-efficient performance, proactive security, and built-in manageability for the business PC.

Intel's latest release, 'vPro' provides hardware and software platform to mobile environment 'Centrino Duo' and home entertainment PC platform 'Viiv'. The vPro is built centered around its latest processor 'Core 2 Duo', Intel Q965 express chipset, Intel 82566DM giga bit network chipset and software to support these components.

The Intel's latest business desktop PC platform release further addresses what the company believes; The business PC and home PC ought to be in different classification. President of Intel Korea Hee-Sung Lee said, "security threats, maintenance costs, managing asset inventory, resource and reducing downtime always brought concerns to running businesses. Precisely this is where the business PC environment requires a solution. To satisfy that need, Intel came up with one platform that can address all those concerns."

First, to be more energy efficient, it used 'Core 2 Duo', for better hardware and firmware solution and security environment, incorporated next generation active management technology AMT(Active Management Technology) and Virtualization Technology.

President Lee said, "built-in manageability, security, energy-efficient performance is all supported in this platform. Especially with AMT Technology and management software, managing even those powered off or whose OS is inoperable is possible, remotely diagnose PCs against virus attacks or infections and troubleshoot and restore systems, and with Core 2 Duo processor giving 40 percent faster and with reduced power consumption."

VP John Anton with came to Korea for the latest product demo explained about cost cutting benefits of using vPro from his data; with reductions in asset management category 90%, hardware related issues 55%, software up to 83% and productivity from one day to just 2 hours. In security, reduced time in after- hour security update installation 86%, security patch installation 96%, and virtualization download time 76% respectively.

VP Anton stressed, "Intel vPro technology is a part of Intel's stable image platform program and it's a program that is highly consistent and able to handle next PC platform. With it, IT administrators can now bypass system tests due to various software and hardware changes, run PC diagnostic and analysis all same time. That allows faster installations and reduction related operation costs."

Will it lead the business PC market?
If all claims from Intel are true then this is an indeed revolutionary platform for the business market. Which means, tens of thousands of PC can be administrated by just a single person and reduce 40 percent in related operation costs too.

However, this platform is designed just for desktop PCs. When considering that recent increase in notebook PC market and slowing down of desktop PC market, one should question the need for this platform. Moreover, most of small business market uses PCs that are assembled. So how much of influence can vPro make in business market?

To this issue President Lee said, "with release of Santa Rosa next year, we plan to announce business notebook platform. Still, desktop PCs are used more in business environment." He added, "even without using vPro, some supports using software is possible. But for overall system and cost improvement, consider purchasing new PC with vPro Technology to bring utmost effectiveness."

However, it's remotely managed so that could be a security issue itself. There is a possibility of hacker or anyone with malicious intent penetrating the corporate PC network using the remote console.

To address that concern Intel reassured "We realize the added risk with active remote access. We do think this is a very sensitive issue and have installed added measures in verifying user authentication with security features. It's not 100 percent bulletproof but it’s pretty close to it. Even with a security breech, it will take much longer for the attacks to penetrate and thus give enough time for appropriate responses."