While Intel was initially uncertain about the value of the product during negotiations, it turned out to be a crucial innovation. First, it meant Intel possessed a chip that could suit a variety of niche needs that the company didn’t need to identify in advance. Second, it reduced the lead time for new products, because instead of designing circuits around a product and then producing the product, customers could build a program based on a known hardware spec and then buy chips off the shelf. Finally, it enabled the PC revolution.
