As business becomes more digital and global, company computers play a central role in supporting operations, management, collaboration, and creative work for businesses and organizations. They also face plenty of challenges and risks, including poor performance, weak security, difficult management, and low stability. To address these problems, Intel developed a comprehensive technology solution for business computers: Intel vPro.
What Intel vPro is and what it includes
Intel vPro is an umbrella marketing term Intel uses for a set of computer hardware technologies, including VT-x, VT-d, Trusted Execution Technology (TXT), and Intel Active Management Technology (AMT). It is designed to improve the manageability, security, performance, and stability of business computers, especially machines that are remote or have no user at the keyboard.
Components of Intel vPro
Intel vPro technology is made up of several components, including:
1. A qualifying Intel Core or Xeon processor
To use Intel vPro, a computer needs a qualifying Intel Core or Xeon processor, meaning one that supports virtualization, security, and high-performance features. This ensures the computer can run demanding applications and tasks without trouble, while also strengthening the security and manageability of the system.
2. A supported operating system
Supported operating systems include Windows, Linux, and macOS. Support for multiple operating systems gives businesses the flexibility to choose and deploy computer systems with Intel vPro technology.
3. Intel LAN and/or WLAN
Business computers need fast, secure network connections to reach critical data and applications. Using Intel LAN and/or WLAN components helps ensure that a computer can connect to the network quickly and safely.
4. Firmware enhancements
Beyond the hardware components, Intel also provides firmware enhancements such as BIOS, firmware, and drivers to support the management and security features of Intel vPro. This makes deploying and managing the system easier and more efficient.
Key features of Intel vPro
Intel vPro offers several important features for business computers, improving the performance, security, and manageability of the system. Here are the main ones:
1. Virtualization
Virtualization is a key feature of Intel vPro, allowing a computer to run multiple operating systems and applications at the same time on a single system. This improves performance and adds flexibility when working with different applications and tasks.
2. Hardware-level security
With hardware-level security features such as VT-x, VT-d, and TXT, Intel vPro helps protect the system from outside attacks. These features make it possible to control and monitor the tasks and applications running on the system, and they also help keep malware and viruses out.
3. Remote management
With AMT, business computers can be managed remotely, easily and efficiently. This is especially useful for companies with many branches or remote employees, making system management and maintenance more convenient and saving time.
4. Automatic recovery
With Intel vPro's automatic recovery feature, business computers can recover on their own after a failure or an attack. This minimizes downtime and helps keep the system running reliably and efficiently.
Benefits of Intel vPro for businesses
Deploying Intel vPro across a company's computer systems brings several benefits, including:
1. Better performance and flexibility
With virtualization and qualifying Intel Core or Xeon processors, business computer systems gain performance and flexibility in running different applications and tasks. This lets companies operate more efficiently and keep up with ever-growing business demands.
2. Hardware-level security
With Intel vPro's hardware-level security features, business computer systems are protected from outside attacks. This reduces information security risks and helps keep a company's critical data secure.
3. Convenient remote management
With AMT, managing and maintaining business computer systems becomes more convenient and saves time. Companies can monitor and control computers remotely, easily and quickly, which cuts costs and streamlines system management.
4. Automatic recovery
With automatic recovery, business computers can recover on their own after a failure or an attack. This minimizes downtime and helps keep the system running reliably and efficiently.
Products that use Intel vPro
Many products on the market now use Intel vPro, from desktops to laptops and ultra-small computers such as the Intel NUC. Here are some representative laptops that use the latest Intel vPro technology in 2023:
- Dell Precision 3581 (2023)
- Dell Precision 5680 (2023)
- Dell Precision 7680 (2023)
- Dell Precision 7780 (2023)
- Dell Latitude 3540 (2023)
- Dell Latitude 5440 (2023)
- Dell Latitude 5540 (2023)
- Dell Latitude 7440 (2023)
Conclusion
As technology advances and businesses rely more and more on computers to drive their operations, Intel vPro is a smart and effective choice. With its virtualization, hardware-level security, remote management, and automatic recovery, Intel vPro improves the performance, security, and flexibility of business computer systems. If you are planning to upgrade your company's computers, consider products that use Intel vPro to keep your business efficient and safe.
Further reading: Intel vPro
