Intel Corp is aiming to make waves in the lower end of the network attached storage market with the release of its Storage Station network appliance. While other companies in the market – such as Network Appliance Inc, Compaq Computer Corp and Hewlett Packard Co – have concentrated on $3,000 to $5,000 devices, Intel has pitched email, internet, printer, and now a storage appliances strictly at small business. Barb Jones, product- marketing manager for the Storage Station line, says the appliance costs $999 and is aimed at companies with 50 employees and under.
The Storage Station is based around a Pentium 266MHz, with 12Gb of memory; a 24Gb version will be available in September. The box is aimed at companies who want file-sharing capabilities for 20 to 25 users, in a Windows 95/98/NT environment. Jones said that she saw the appliance’s main competition in low-end server bracket. However, Intel hopes to beat out the competition by making the devices simple to use for companies who don’t necessarily have IT support.
Interestingly, the network attached appliance range breaks with Intel’s usual business model. The company not only supplies the hardware but also manufactures the devices. And while Jones said that more appliances were being developed, she would give no specific details but did say that Intel will stick with its low- end focus. The company has no plans to compete with HP and Compaq et al in the higher echelons. Jones expects that the street price of the Storage Station will be around $800.
