Connection Partners with Microsoft and Qualcomm to Launch New Era of AI-powered Devices
Connection, a top IT solutions provider, is partnering with Microsoft, Qualcomm, and other OEMs to launch the Copilot+ PCs, a new generation of AI-powered Windows-based devices. These devices, featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors on Arm64 architecture, promise a user experience 100x more efficient for AI tasks than prior models. The first Copilot+ PCs, including devices from Microsoft, Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, will debut in June 2024. Connection will provide services to assist with the integration of these advanced AI tools, enhancing productivity and aligning IT investments with strategic priorities.
The initiative aligns with Microsoft's Strategic Refresh Initiative, and Connection has been recognized as a Microsoft Solutions Partner across multiple areas, including Business Applications, Data & AI, and Security.
- Partnership with industry giants Microsoft and Qualcomm positions Connection as a key player in AI-powered device market.
- Copilot+ PCs promise a 100x increase in AI workload efficiency, enhancing user productivity.
- Launch of Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors in June 2024 signifies a timely market entry.
- Connection recognized with two Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards in 2023, boosting credibility and market confidence.
- Strong portfolio of services for the deployment and integration of advanced AI tools positions Connection as a comprehensive solutions provider.
- The success of Copilot+ PCs heavily relies on market acceptance and adoption, which is uncertain.
- Potential high costs associated with integrating new AI technologies could deter some customers.
- Implementation of new systems always carries the risk of technical issues and operational disruptions.
Insights
The announcement of Connection partnering with Microsoft and Qualcomm to launch next-gen Copilot+ PCs is a significant development in the technology sector. These devices, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and featuring advanced Neural Processing Units (NPUs), promise a 100x improvement in AI workload efficiency over previous generation PCs. This advancement can revolutionize how businesses leverage AI, particularly in data-intensive applications like machine learning and AI-driven analytics.
The inclusion of NPUs is a game-changer as it allows for real-time AI processing directly on the device, reducing latency and improving performance. This can lead to advancements in various sectors including healthcare, finance and education, where real-time data processing is critical.
The Copilot+ PCs launch targets a broad market including business, government, healthcare and education. The collaboration with major OEMs like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung indicates a strong market penetration strategy. The timing of the launch, set for June 2024, aligns well with the end of many fiscal years, potentially spurring investments in new technology.
This move represents a strategic maneuver to capture the growing demand for AI-powered devices. The integration of AI at the hardware level offers a substantial competitive advantage and could drive significant market share gains for Connection and its partners.
From a financial perspective, Connection’s collaboration with industry giants like Microsoft and Qualcomm signals a robust growth opportunity. The potential to deliver devices that enhance productivity by up to 40+ trillion operations per second offers a compelling value proposition that could drive revenue growth.
Moreover, Connection’s extensive portfolio of advisory services positions it well to capitalize on this technological shift. The anticipated increase in demand for AI-capable devices could translate into higher sales of both hardware and associated services, boosting the company's top and bottom lines.
Next-gen Copilot+ PCs Offer Access to Powerful, New AI Experience
Copilot+ PCs, powered by all-new system architecture and on-board Neural Processing Units (NPUs), deliver a user experience that is 100x more efficient for AI workloads than previous generation PCs. Featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors on Arm64 architecture, the first Copilot+ PCs—including Microsoft Surface devices and offerings from OEM partners, Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung—are scheduled for launch in June 2024.
Tim McGrath, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We’re excited to put Copilot+ PCs in the hands of customers who want to empower their workforces and realize the incredible productivity benefits of AI. Incorporating next-gen devices, industry-leading apps, and advanced AI models into day-to-day workflows delivers a user experience unlike any other. This represents a new era for the PC, and Connection is ready to help our customers make the most of this exciting opportunity to drive growth, productivity, and competitive advantage.”
Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection and Head of the company’s Helix Center for Applied AI and Robotics said, “It’s difficult to overstate the potential impact of embedded AI devices on workforce productivity. We’re witnessing truly impressive engineering feats across CPU, GPU, and NPU—with silicon capable of delivering 40+ trillion operations per second. Providing secure access to advanced AI models, including world-class SLMs, at the press of a button is a milestone in computing history. The Helix team at Connection has been working closely with our partners to prepare customers for this shift. Our in-house experts have developed a portfolio of advisory services to help organizations make the most of these transformational technologies—including embedded AI devices—and align their IT investments with strategic priorities and business goals.”
As a key partner in Microsoft’s Strategic Refresh Initiative, Connection offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services to facilitate the deployment and integration of Windows 11 devices and Copilot+ PCs, including OS migration, app assurance, device management, and end user services. Connection leverages deep OEM partnerships, extensive resources, and a long history of collaboration with Microsoft and Qualcomm to ensure a seamless technology refresh experience for end users and the IT departments who support them.
Connection is a Microsoft Solutions Partner with designations across six Microsoft Solution areas: Business Applications; Data & AI (Azure); Digital & App Innovation (Azure); Infrastructure (Azure); Modern Work; and Security. Connection has also been named a Microsoft Solutions Partner for the Microsoft Cloud and was recognized with two Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards in 2023: Microsoft US Surface Solutions Partner of the Year and Modern Work, Surface Hub Reseller 2023 Microsoft US Partner of the Year.
About Connection
PC Connection, Inc. and its subsidiaries, dba Connection, (www.connection.com; NASDAQ: CNXN) is a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in
Connection Business Solutions (800.800.5555) is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services serving primarily the small-and medium-sized business sector. It offers more than 460,000 brand-name products through its staff of technically trained sales account managers, publications, and its website at www.connection.com.
Connection Enterprise Solutions (561.237.3300), www.connection.com/enterprise, provides corporate technology buyers with best-in-class IT solutions, in-depth IT supply-chain expertise, and real-time access to over 460,000 products and 1,600 vendors through MarkITplace®, a proprietary next-generation, cloud-based supply chain solution. The team’s engineers, software licensing specialists, and subject matter experts help reduce the cost and complexity of buying hardware, software, and services throughout the entire IT lifecycle.
Connection Public Sector Solutions (800.800.0019), is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies and educational institutions through specialized account managers, publications, and online at www.connection.com/publicsector.
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Corporate Communications Contact:
Jeff Frank, 603.683.2083
jeff.frank@connection.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Thomas Baker, 603.683.2505
Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer
tom@connection.com
Source: Connection
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