IBM has launched Regatta — the eServer p690 servers — for the Indian
market. Over 50 delegates (both IBM and non-IBM customers) attended the
exclusive launch in Goa. The event was given a marine backdrop to gel with the
name Regatta which means coming together for a boat race. IBM's Country
Manager-Sales, Swarup Choudary was the 'Captain of the yatch.'
Regatta was first launched in the US on October 4, followed by a launch in
China and in India on 20th October.
The launch poses a challenge to Sun Microsystems' Sun Fire 15K, which
according to IBM, costs 85 percent more than that of a 16-way pSeries 690.
Interestingly, being aware of the launch of Regatta in Goa, Sun Microsystems had
lined up banners boasting about the features of its Sun Fire server on the road
from launch venue to the airport. However, says Swarup, "Regatta is the
world's most powerful server."
With Regatta, IBM is targeting the Unix space with self-management features
and logical partitioning for the first time. It also houses the Power4 Turbo
processors, which according to IBM, has a two-generation lead in chip technology
over competing processors.
IBM's Regatta launch is also keenly watched by Compaq and HP, who have a
strong presence in the server segment in India.
NELSON JOHNY
GOA