By Abhinna Shreshtha
Mumbai, Feb 08, 2010 2010 hrs IST

Microprocessor major Intel, has recently launched its new 2010 Intel Core processor family based on vPro, its remote manageability technology. With this launch, Intel is looking to consolidate its presence in the enterprise segment. 

The platform, based on the 2010 Intel Core vPro processor family, includes the Intel Q57 Express chipset, and Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection for notebooks and Intel 82578DM Network Connection for desktop PCs.

Rick Echevarria, VP (Intel architecture group) and GM for business client platform division, Intel said the new installment of vPro was not just for large enterprises but also for smaller organizations, an announcement that could cause some wariness at rival AMD, who released their own remote management platform - Vision Pro, for small organizations last month.

With the launch of the new version of vPro, Intel hopes to tap a business segment which is looking to recover from the global recession. "Organizations haven't updated their hardware in quite some time and hence are facing a computing environment that no longer handles newer applications. Coupled with continued software innovations, we are expecting a PC refresh cycle by mid 2010," said Echevarria.

vPro was first launched in 2006. Now in its fourth iteration, it will include new features like integrated KVM control, remote encryption management, new data and asset theft deterrents.

Asked whether users could detect external access to their PC, Brad Anderson, GM (management and solutions division) of Microsoft said, "Users can confirm when a technician is reaching out to them. The user will see alerts along the border of the screen and flashing lights the moment a connection is made. This will then disappear when the connection is broken."

OEM & ODM partners like ASI, Toshiba, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Gigabyte, etc. have already started introducing business PCs and notebooks based on the vPro platform for both large and small enterprises. In addition, Echevarria said developers of software solutions for SMBs and enterprises such as Kaseya, LANDesk, LogMeIn, Microsoft, Symantec, RealVNC, WinZip, etc. will support the new features in their upcoming products.