Name recognition is Lenovo's prize

A low profile might work for local faculty members at the Olympic games, but that just won't happen for one of the Triangle's better-known companies.

Lenovo, the Chinese company that bought IBM's personal computer business in 2005, has been touting its connection to the Olympics for several years.

Along with Bank of America, Lenovo is one of the Summer Games' biggest corporate sponsors.

With executive headquarters in Morrisville and operations throughout the world, the company is counting on the global exposure to boost its brand, especially in the U.S., where it lags rivals such as Dell and Hewlett- Packard in name recognition.

The days leading up to the games are the most critical for the company, said Bob Page, a communications director with the company who is one of about 60 local Lenovo employees in China.

"Everything needs to be ready to go on Friday the 8th," he said. "The logistical preparations are so detailed and significant -- in everything from transportation to badge accreditation -- that the sheer volume of activity is astounding.

"Lenovo is in the middle of most of it, with 600 technicians supporting computing technology in 54 venues in seven cities."

There's one piece of technology that Page particularly appreciates.

"The assignment makes me a huge believer in video chat," he said. "Talking to my family for 10 minutes right before I eat breakfast, which is when they're eating dinner, makes my workday in Beijing and my home in Chapel Hill feel a lot more connected."