NetApp and Intel Establish Partnership for AI Deployment

Data infrastructure company NetApp and Intel have partnered to deploy NetApp AIPod Mini, a solution to streamline enterprise adoption of AI inferencing. 

The two companies are addressing challenges involved with deploying AI, such as cost and complexity, at the department and team level.

Integrated AI inference from two tech powerhouses

Through this partnership, NetApp and Intel will be able to provide organizations with an integrated AI inferencing solution built on an intelligent data infrastructure framework which allows specific business functions to leverage their distinct data to create outcomes that support their needs.

This new solution– the NetApp AIPod Mini– streamlines deployment and use of AI for specific applications. Among those applications can include automating aspects of document drafting and research for legal teams, implementing personalized shopping experiences and dynamic pricing for retail teams, and optimizing predictive maintenance and supply chains for manufacturing units.

“Our mission is to unlock AI for every team at every level without the traditional barriers of complexity or cost,” said Dallas Olson, Chief Commercial Officer at NetApp. “NetApp AIPod Mini with Intel gives our customers a solution that not only transforms how teams can use AI, but also makes it easy to customize, deploy, and maintain. We are turning proprietary enterprise data into powerful business outcomes.”

Among the key features of the new solution are:

• Affordability: The solution was made for departmental and business-unit budgets to deliver enterprise-grade performance at a low entry price. NetApp AIPod Mini is also designed with scalability in mind, enabling organizations to achieve AI advancements without wasting resources on unnecessary overhead or costs.
• Simplicity: The solution has a pre-validated reference design to streamline and effectively implement AI. Its pre-packaged workflows enable quick setup, seamless integration, and customization without extra overhead. The solution assists enterprises with deploying AI faster and more confidently, enabling smarter and more efficient operations by focusing on ease of use and reliability.
• Security: NetApp AIPod Mini leverages NetApp and processes data on-premises to enhance privacy and protect sensitive data. Customers can leverage NetApp ONTAP’s built-in cyber resiliency and governance capability, including access controls, versioning, and traceability, to embed compliance directly into AI workflows with traceability and ethical safeguards.

Integration and distribution partners round out initial access this summer

The new solution integrates Intel Xeon 6 processors and Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (Intel AMX) with NetApp’s all-flash storage, advanced data management, and deep Kubernetes integration to deliver high-performance, cost-efficient AI inferencing at scale. Powered by Open Platform for Enterprise AI (OPEA), it is built on an open framework to ensure modular, flexible deployments tailored to business needs. Further, the Intel Xeon processors are designed to boost computing performance and efficiency, making AI tasks more attainable and cost-effective, empowering customers to achieve more.

“A good AI solution needs to be both powerful and efficient to ensure it delivers a strong return on investment,” said Greg Ernst, Americas Corporate Vice President and General Manager at Intel. “By combining Intel Xeon processors with NetApp’s robust data management and storage capabilities, the NetApp AIPod Mini solution offers business units the chance to deploy AI in tackling their unique challenges. This solution empowers users to harness AI without the burden of oversized infrastructure or unnecessary technical complexity.”

The NetApp AIPod Mini with Intel will be available this summer from strategic distributors and partners globally. Initial partners for launch include Arrow Electronics and TD SYNNEX, as well as integration partners Insight Partners, CDW USE, CDW UK&I, Presidio, and Longview Systems, who will work to provide dedicated support and service to ensure a seamless purchasing and deployment experience for customers’ AI use cases.

Along with this move, Intel has been pushing strongly into the AI space this year. Read more about their three new initiatives to streamline AI adoption.