InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
August 23, 1999
Low-Cost IBM PCs
Systems are small and easy to manage
IBM's PC 300GL desktops are available with a free suite of desktop manageability tools, Universal Manageability Services, which enables remote systems administration for products from Computer Associates, Microsoft, Tivoli Systems, and others. IBM is also offering a new Universal Management Desktop Extensions service, which consists of six software programs. The service includes a data backup application that can be activated during emergencies such as hard-disk crashes, and a disabling mechanism that lets systems administrators hide designated operating-system features from employees to prevent certain errors.
Spending on PC-related services and support was about $8 billion in 1998, according to a survey of 1,000 small businesses conducted by Access Media International. Making it easier for the IT administrator to fix or prevent problems provides value to the customer, says Deepinder Sahni, a senior analyst at Access Media. "Every time a reseller has to service your equipment, it costs money," Sahni says. "If vendors can do anything to save businesses those costs, it's fairly advantageous."
Sahni says the services will also help IBM distinguish its systems in a commodity market. "IBM is doing the right things by bundling services with hardware," Sahni says.
The PC 300GL series is based on Intel Celeron processors, with speeds up to 500 MHz and the new 810 chipset. The machines come preloaded with Windows 98 or NT 4.0. They are available with 8.4-Gbyte, 13.5-Gbyte, or 20.4-Gbyte hard drives and 64 Mbytes of RAM, expandable to 512 Mbytes. Pricing begins at $849 for a PC with a 433-MHz Celeron CPU.
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BM has upgraded its PCs for emerging enterprises with a new line of compact, inexpensive, and easy-to-manage systems.
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