I am fascinated by the way Intel is having to change its definition and understanding of its main market nowadays. This company has for some time focused on being a PC microprocessor supplier and over years directed a huge portion of its resources into building plants and developing the technology to support the computer market. Now, the advent of new applications is forcing another rethink. Based solely on the different market segments enumerated by Paul Otellini, Intel's president and CEO, will this company now have to play and win in all these non-PC market segments?
Bolaji, what is the likelihood Intel would be able to dominate in all these varied market segments? I think the company will eventually play a leading role in the tablet PC market--not all equipment makers want to be like Apple and develop their own processors for the tablet PC. What do you think will happen in all the other segments Otellini talked about?
Anna, Intel will have to learn to share. The era of a single company dominating in any segment of the electronics industry is likely over although consolidation will reduce the number of players eventually. Still, the industry is now thoroughly wary of fostering the creation of another Intel monopoly situation and as a result, we are likely to see the emergence of multiple suppliers that may be equally balanced in terms of market share. I have to admit, though, that some companies are starting out with a hefty advantage.
Companies like Intel have huge cash generating businesses already and can afford to spend what it takes to win. Others may only have one shot. If I have to put my money on a winner in any of the segments outlined by Intel's president Paul Otellini, I would go with Intel, even in an area like tablet PCs. Apple can try to dominate this segment but it is still a single player in a sector where many companies want a share. Intel will team up with these companies and sell its microprocessors to as many OEMs as possible while Apple will use its internally developed processor but not license this to rivals. That strategy will help Apple control the user experience but it's not a strategy for high volume generation.
Based on your comment, you feel Intel is the major player in their sector (fair conclusion). But what would you say about their 'biggest' competitor in AMD?
They have managed to stick around and still be a viable option to almost any Intel lines BUT they are still far behind Intel on the growth and revenue scales.
Pocharle, you are right that AMD is one of the biggest competitor of Intel. However, AMD is the main choice of people/business who are into gaming application, services etc. Intel so far dominates the other sector. Going back to the main topic, the major players of the OEM industry are into outsourcing. As mentioned by Bolaji in his article though theres a slow down in sales in different demography, the sales in China and India is somehow not affected. I think Intel should be more aggressive in getting OEM and other business deals in countries where most electronic companies outsourced their services.
I don't see any threat with the Apple being in the market. Apple Ipad, Ipod etc are just fads.
I appreciate your response on the former topic. BUT to touch on the latter, I don't know if you can consider the iProducts as fads. This might be the topic of another post but Apple has done a great job to spoonfeed its customers ideas. Now it's sort of like an addiction. It's sort of like 15 years ago when the iMacs started getting hot. No one thought i would last but voila, now we have iPod, iPad, iMac, etc.
Apple is transforming the way people do things, not just the devices they use to get things done. I see what you're trying to say but fad might not be the right word. They are more on a wave of innovation that builds on the crack model of tech (ie. hard to break that cycle once it's in motion).
I appreciate your comment. Well my take on that, Apple products will just come and go. Just like Nokia and Motorola during the start of the cellphone era. They were the key players during the start of the age of cellphones. I wont argue that Apple is one of the biggest innovators for this decade. The touchscreen technology is really great. However, not all consumers are really into touchscreen technology.
I just want to react to your statement -" Apple is transforming the way people do things, not just the devices they use to get things done" --- what about Google?
I guess Google is something we should consider as the biggest threat for Apple.
Remember the saying "Jack of all trades, master of none"
I feel like sometimes these companies (a la Google) tries to have a hand in EVERYTHING! WHy, I don't know. I guess they want to be known as the guys that revolutionize EVERYTHING. THe problem with that concept is that if you fail is alot of things, it might outshine the few things that you do exceptionally.
Google has the advantage in the cloud but if they keep trying to take over the world (as some say), they might end up tripping over Apple's path to the top.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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