Maarssen, July 8, 2002 - When the second generation of the Itanium processor family (Itanium2, development name "McKinley") becomes available, Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Fujitsu Ltd. will offer this technology with its Intel-based high-end PRIMERGY servers. Europe's leading computer company will thus introduce the first four-way PRIMERGY server onto the market end of the year 2002, with 16-way servers being planned for the first quarter of 2003.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers sees in the Itanium2 processor another important developmental step in offering its PRIMERGY servers for business-critical applications in Business Critical Computing. The new Itanium2 will set new standards wherever outstanding availability, reliability and above all scalability are required. The 64-bit technology allows both operating systems and applications to address extremely large storage areas and thus to overcome the current limitations of 32-bit processor technology. Database systems in particular will benefit significantly from this technology.
Another advantage of the new processor architecture is the seamless integration of the Itanium2-based PRIMERGY servers into existing 32-bit infrastructures, thereby enabling the coexistence of the two architectures. More specifically, this means that communication between servers with different architectures is completely transparent. For example, a 32-bit SAP application can communicate with a 64-bit Itanium2-based database server without problems. Fujitsu Siemens Computers lends additional support to this approach by fully integrating the new PRIMERGY generation into the familiar management environment (ServerView, RemoteView, ServerStart), so that the usual interfaces and tools can be used for administration.
The new Itanium2-based product line extends the successful PRIMERGY high-end server series based on traditional 32-bit technology. In future, both product lines in this market segment will continue to be aligned with the latest developments and systematically refined.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers proved itself a pioneer in cutting-edge technology when it introduced the Itanium processor family into its PRIMERGY N4000 models. Part of this effort was to design a special pilot program offering training in this new 64-bit technology to over 20 major customers and key ISVs, who then migrated their applications onto these platforms.
When the 64-bit version of the Microsoft operating system .NET becomes available, Fujitsu Siemens Computers expects a breakthrough for this technology in the Intel-based server market. Applications adapted for Itanium2 will then gradually be introduced onto the market in 2003. However, Linux distributors have also made a clear commitment to provide corresponding versions of their operating systems for Itanium2. The foundation has thus been laid for providing modern ERP applications (Enterprise Resource Planning) such as mySAP.com on this platform and for utilizing the full performance range of this new architecture.
About Fujitsu Siemens Computers:
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company. Serving the needs of large corporations, small- to medium-sized enterprises and consumers the company operates in all key markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It offers a unique choice of world-class computer technology and innovative IT infrastructure solutions. Embedded in a global cooperation, Fujitsu Siemens Computers takes advantage of the strengths and the innovative power of its parent companies Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG. "Powering the Information Age" is the company´s vision. Fujitsu Siemens Computers will enable people to freely access information and services anywhere and at any time with world-leading products, services and solutions, thus ensuring people´s success within a knowledge-based society. The strategic direction is focused on Mobility and Business Critical Computing as the key drivers of the Information Age in the 21st century. The company offers everything for enterprise computing, ranging from best-in-class Intel- and Unix-based servers to mainframes and enterprise storage solutions. It is also one of the leading providers of notebooks, PDAs, workstations and PCs to business customers, and is the No. 1 supplier of computers for home users in Europe. For further information, please visit: www.fujitsu-siemens.com