HP Professional AP500 Compaq Workstations Graphics Product Positioning - Page 3

Compaq Professional Workstations Graphics Product Positioning 3 Introduction The workstation market is renowned for its high performance, highly specialized capabilities, however it also shares many of the attributes of the mature and largely commoditized PC market. As such, the workstation market should not be considered one solitary mass, but is more like a market of many sub-markets. This diversity has spawned a need for a diverse set of graphics solutions-some of which are fairly basic and akin to traditional desktop PC graphics solutions and some that are highly specialized for the often-unique tasks that have been the traditional domain of RISC-based UNIX workstations. It has also spawned a need for a flexible way to deliver these solutions to market. After all, no one vendor could possible develop solutions for all of the varied requirements of such as massive collection of customer needs. Compaq has created a way to meet these varied market requirements. The Graphics Excellence Program (GEP) is the most critical element of Compaq's ability to continue to drive the broadest portfolio of graphics solutions in the market to address the need for a diverse array of workstation graphics solutions. It allows Compaq to efficiently extend its line and solutions portfolio and enables solutions that otherwise would not enjoy broad recognition. This program also allows Compaq to bring the latest graphics technologies to market faster without sacrificing compatibility and stability. Compaq uses the three-tiered GEP approach to enable this flexibility in the most efficient manner possible. Consider each in turn, from the niche oriented Specialty graphics solutions to the more strategic, higher volume Select and Premier solutions. Figure 1: The three tiers of the Compaq Graphics Excellence Program Premier Graphics • Full platform integration • Offered through BTO/CTO/Option • Fully qualified by Compaq and ISV's • Highest quality solution • Full Compaq support/warranty Differentiate with performance and stability Promotion Opportunity Select Graphics • Fastest TTM • Offered as after market Option • ISVs qualification initiated by graphics vendor • Full Compaq support/warranty Fastest TTM Broad Portfolio Promotion Opportunity Specialty Graphics • Driven by special customer demand • Offered through reseller channel • Compatibility tested in Qualification Lab by vendor • Support and warranty from graphics vendor