AMD and Intel have taken steps to reassure customers that they are well prepared to meet the rising demand for computing hardware in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the number of infected people growing exponentially with each passing day, there are naturally concerns that supply chains will or are already affected. This is particularly true in the case of chip manufacturers with supply chains that reach deep into affected areas.
Recent news of both companies suffering delays, even before the current global situation developed, has left many wondering whether they are equipped to respond to the higher demand for chips in overworked data centers and servers due to lockdown measures.
As more people stay at home, the existing infrastructure is taking a beating, which will invariably funnel down to the hardware itself in the form of wear and tear. There is likely to be a surge in the demand for replacement parts or new equipment to bolster existing infrastructure as the number of home-confined people across the globe grows.
Intel CEO Bob Swan authored a letter designed to reassure customers that it had everything under control. He says, ‘I am reaching out to you to confirm our strong commitment to you during the ongoing coronavirus situation. While this remains a developing situation, Intel factories around the world continue to operate on a relatively normal basis. We are here for you.’
Swan confirms that supply chain operations in the US, Middle East, and Asia are sustaining a rate of on-time delivery currently greater than 90%.
AMD’s Lisa Su followed suit with a similarly reassuring letter that confirmed AMD was taking steps to mitigate any fallout on the company’s operations across the globe in the wake of the coronavirus.
According to AMD and Intel, there appears to be nothing to worry about as it stands today. Whether this will change as weeks of lockdown turn into months and the strain on infrastructure heightens remains to be seen.