Since Intel has announced the introduction of vPro, a technology which promises to help IT personnel handle emergency situations and maintenance regarding both computer software and hardware, AMD was sure not to leave things as they were, and after a not so big period of time, they did it.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced the release of a software tool that allows hardware and software vendors test their products in order to meet a new industry standard. The software tool released by AMD is called SIMFIRE and the standard goes by the name of DASH, short for Desktop and mobile architecture for system hardware.

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) announced the DASH initiative on the 22nd of March, 2007, as a means through which they will "provide the next generation of standards for secure out-of-band and remote management of desktop and mobile systems."

Winston Bumpus, the president of DMTF stated: "Since the DMTF's Desktop and Mobile Work Group (DMWG) was announced, the group has attracted more than 180 members from over 35 different companies, reflecting enormous support from the industry. The result is DASH, a significant step forward that utilizes the latest technologies to provide an advanced framework for desktop and mobile management. By delivering an interoperable approach and relief for this key pain point in the distributed enterprise, DASH will facilitate new levels of efficiency and help reduce costs."

The difference with SIMFIRE, as opposed to Intel's vPro initiative is that it isn't proprietary to AMD hardware, it's royalty-free and, first and foremost, it's open-source. The purpose of DASH is to replace the Alert Standard Format (ASF), which has been around for four years.

Lars Ewe, an enterprise software strategist for AMD, said: "The Task Force has not yet named an official compliance testing tool, but AMD hopes SIMFIRE will be part of that package".