Intel gives away RosettaNet tool kit: move will help connect small, midsize companies - Distribution - Intel Architecture Software Development Kit for RosettaNet - Product Announcement

Electronic News, May 27, 2002 by Rob Spiegel

Intel Corp. has created a tool kit based on RosettaNet that makes it simpler for small and midsize companies to conduct business electronically, a development that tightens the link between Intel and small businesses while making it less expensive for companies to utilize RosettaNet standards.

The Intel Architecture Software Development Kit for RosettaNet (IA SDK) will be available at no charge on the RosettaNet Website (rosettanet.org) in mid-June. It is part of an ongoing effort by both Intel and the RosettaNet industry consortium to provide free and inexpensive tools for smaller companies.

Intel acknowledged it will benefit by helping its smaller trading partners connect via RosettaNet connectivity standards, but the move to give away the tool also is designed to help RosettaNet spread its connectivity to smaller businesses.

"We're a large company, but even a company as large as Intel has trading partners that are specialized and do not have the volume and do not have the margins," said Colin Evans, director of distributed systems, Intel Labs, and chairman of RosettaNet's executive board. "A lot of these companies do not have the IT budget to do the pioneering work. They're followers, not leaders."

Evans also noted that the IA SDK will help RosettaNet reach out to smaller companies. "The kit kills two birds with one stone," said Evans. "RosettaNet needs to lower the entry point, and Intel needs to connect a lot of small companies." Evan said he expects the tool kit to find particular acceptance in Europe and Asia, where the industry is less consolidated and a greater number of small- to mid-size companies need a technology boost. "Asia is a huge place and very fragmented, and though there are large companies, there are a lot of small companies that can use IA SDK to get a leg up."

The goal of connecting small-and midsize companies is also dear to the heart of RosettaNet's strategy. "The IA SDK for RosettaNet demonstrates Intel's continued commitment to extend the adoption of the RosettaNet standard by developing solutions that support mid-tier players in the supply chain," said Jennifer Hamilton, CEO of Santa Ana, Calif.-based RosettaNet. "We are pleased that our members will have access to a valuable tool at no cost, and feel confident that contributions such as Intel's software products will further enable developers to quickly bring solutions to market."

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel gave the IA SDK tool to RosettaNet in order to reach the largest potential audience of small- and midsize companies. "We developed this as a research project and we decided it would have the greatest impact if we donated it to RosettaNet." Evans did note, though, that use of the kit doesn't give a small company entry into the world of Intel vendors. "Just because you use this kit, that doesn't mean you're qualified as an Intel trading partner," said Evans.

There are several features built into the IA SDK that make the technology easy to use and cost-effective, according to Intel. It is modular in design and includes source code that can be used by developers to create applications that work with RosettaNet standards. A release on the kit explained that developer and installation guides take developers through all of the components needed to design easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain solutions.