Looking into new businesses

Intel will have its first data-hosting site up and running by September and will start setting up sites for customers then, the company said at its analysts meeting in New York. The first customer will be Web directory Excite Inc., which earlier this month said it was creating a shopping service with Intel_s help. Intel, the top maker of chips used in personal computers, is looking for new ways to expand its business beyond PCs as that market starts to slow and prices plummet. Already, Intel has taken steps into the market for sophisticated workstations and servers, as well as networking products and Web-access devices. Intel eventually will have datacenters around the world that house servers and maintain Web sites 24 hours a day. The company said it gained its expertise running its own internal global network and coordinating manufacturing facilities that never shut down. Santa Clara, California-based Intel is getting into a business already populated by other, more experienced providers, such as IBM Corp. and Electronic Data Systems Inc.Intel also will partner with Internet service providers to offer network access and other services that are outside Intel_s expertise.The company already is working with ISPs to help them use Intel-based servers as their central network. Intel will try to woo more providers by offering Intel-based servers and networking products through a special program next week. Intel said it is looking into other new businesses, including Web-access devices that would let users view Web pages without a PC. The company is working on creating standards and adapting some of its technology to work in these devices.