Dell will aid Intel with IA-64

Dell is to assist the transition to Intel's IA-64 by opening centres for customers porting software to the 64bit architecture. The Application Solution Centres will open in Limerick, Ireland and Round Rock, Texas this summer. Dell and Intel will collaborate on developing both facilities.

The centres will provide engineers and Intel proof-of-concept, tuning and porting tools for Dell's enterprise customers and independent software vendors optimising applications for IA-64 which Dell, like countless other computer makers, will support in systems. Customer networks will be simulated and images of optimal configurations can later be stamped on any Dell PowerEdge server or Precision WorkStation. The centres are part of the DellPlus Server Integration service Dell offers to customers who want specialised configurations.

Dell claims to be the fourth largest seller of PC servers and third largest Windows NT workstation provider in the world.