Working with local board vendors key for Intel

TAIPEI TAIWAN: Intel is investing in a new portal for embedded designers. This portal, The Intel Architecture Embedded Design Center is scheduled for launch in spring 2009. Asia will likely become the largest market for embedded computing, and Taiwan, the largest market for automation.

Excerpts from an interview with Doug Davis, Intel's Vice President, Digital Enterprise Group and General Manager, Embedded and Communications Group, on the sidelines of the recently held Intel Developer Forum 2008.

CIOL: What has been Intel's focus, specially in India, in embedded?

Doug Davis: We are extending into a lot of areas and markets. Our India team was tasked to look into the embedded market.

The need to work with local  board vendors is a focus area for Intel. We are looking at building relationships, and also build those with local system integrators.

CIOL: How do you go about doing that?

DD: We are focusing on several segments, such as telecom, retail, medical, and also transportation, as well as factory automation.

In transportation, Intel is working with several developers in the European Union (EU) who are developing train control systems, for example, monitoring, wheel bearing temperatures, etc. If you think about managing trains, the tracks they run on, and managing data centers around those, it could be an interesting area.

CIOL: What is your take on RFID based applications?

DD: Typically, RFID applications could be in the low-end process applications. There have been a few pockets, but those have not really taken off.

CIOL: Can you elaborate on Intel's new Web site on embedded?

DD: In embedded, we are shifting some more sales resources. Developers go online to get the information that they need. The upcoming Web site on embedded is a good start. It also helps us find more customers. We would have great online tools on the site for board vendors and system integrators.