AMD 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 the 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.
