Introduction - Compaq AP750 - Professional - 256 MB RAM Technical Manual

Compaq Professional Workstations Graphics Product Positioning

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
Select Graphics
• Fastest TTM
Promotion
• Offered as after market Option
Opportunity
• ISVs qualification initiated by graphics
vendor
• Full Compaq support/warranty
Promotion
Opportunity
Differentiate with performance and
stability
Specialty Graphics
• Driven by special customer demand
• Offered through reseller channel
• Compatibility tested in Qualification Lab by
vendor
• Support and warranty from graphics vendor
Fastest TTM
Broad Portfolio
3