The demand for new applications in the corporate environment continues to grow as users become more mobile and new innovations are meeting increased need. Computing is still an important element in the business model, but it’s taken on a new life with mobile devices and the remote working world. It’s also created significant opportunity for those in application deployment.
Intel (News - Alert) is no exception. The company has been blazing trails since its launch and continues to wow users with its products and its marketing campaigns – who doesn’t like the Blue Man Group? Still, performance has to match the hype or users will quickly move on. It’s a tall order for any technology company and only those closely in tune with the customer base are able to survive in the jungle.
Tech Goondu recently posted a blog on the latest from Intel as the company rides the wave of success from its first mini desktop PC kits. The kits sold so well in the past 18 months that the company has developed an updated next unit of computing (NUC) kit, featuring an Atom-based processor for thin clients.
For those paying attention to application deployment, the fanless kits come complete with an Intel Atom E3815 chip, featuring the new Bay Trail architecture developed by Intel. The new solution is targeted to low-end computers in use to control digital signage, run a kiosk or manage point-of-sale systems.
Named the Thin Canyon version of the popular NUC kits from Intel, the latest model launched in Singapore this week as the chipmaker seeks to stake its claim in this computing space. Traditionally dominated by smaller rivals, the embedding computing space is one where Intel hasn’t dominated. Given its success in other markets, this could be just the right time.
The NUC was originally launched in 2012, part of Intel’s strategy to rejuvenate the desktop PC market, which had slowed considerably. The solution comes complete with an Intel processor and motherboard, yet requires users to still purchase their own drives and memory modules. This setup, however, extends great flexibility to those that are tired of the cookie-cutter approach to computing systems and prefer to customize the solution. While it didn’t immediately appeal to the market in its inaugural year, more than one million sold in 2013.
For application deployment provider Unicom, this focus on the market is an opportunity to extend the reach for Intel and bring robust solutions to users that are demanding greater capability. While it did have a slow start, the NUCs are gaining the necessary momentum to enjoy greater success.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson