HP introduces servers, customer management portfolio to reduce costs for midsize businesses

Issued by KCMC for HP
Johannesburg, 09 May 2008

HP today announced two affordable, power-efficient HP ProLiant servers as well as the market's first Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based x86 platforms.

In addition, the company is offering an expanded customer relationship management (CRM) portfolio, Linux-based management tools and remote access technology.

All of the products and solutions are designed to help small to midsize businesses reduce costs, improve security and better manage customer relationships.

According to an AMI-Partners report [1], this year more than 60% of midmarket companies [2] surveyed plan to invest in technology specifically for customer relationship management and secure remote access.

"Through extensive research and customer interaction, HP has gained valuable insight into the needs of midsize business customers," said Andrew McNiven, Industry Standard Server Business Unit Manager, HP. "As a result, we can deliver customised, affordable and effective technology designed specifically for them."

Affordable, power-efficient HP ProLiant servers

The new HP ProLiant BL260c G5 offers customers the most power-efficient and affordable server blade in the industry. The BL260c costs 20% less [3] and is 64% more power-efficient [4] than any other blade on the market. The BL260c, for use with the award-winning HP BladeSystem c3000 and c7000 enclosures, is designed for branch offices and remote sites with small or virtualisation-based environments. It supports CRM, enterprise resource planning, database applications, Web applications, file/print services and high-performance computing.

HP also introduced the HP ProLiant DL120 G5, the most affordable rack-optimised HP ProLiant server available. The single-processor DL120 features the latest Intel Xeon technology and offers midsize businesses improved efficiency.

In addition, HP is first to market with Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based x86 servers for customers of all sizes. The energy-efficient servers deliver improved processor performance as well as large memory footprints and storage capacities. They are ideal for demanding business and scale-out applications as well as virtualisation deployments.

In all, these eight blade, rack and tower models can save customers money through server consolidation and lower energy costs.

Expanded CRM configuration options

HP has integrated next-generation server and storage technologies into HP-approved midsize Microsoft Dynamics CRM configurations that can significantly reduce deployment time and support a customer-centric business strategy. Additionally, new Oracle Siebel CRM Professional Edition configurations, validated by Oracle, offer midsize companies an affordable and easy-to-manage solution.

To meet the growing demand for robust Linux-based solutions for midsize businesses, HP introduced:

* Five HP-approved Oracle database configurations for HP BladeSystem and ProLiant systems running on Linux. These configurations provide support for 75 to 400 users, reduce time to deployment and lower costs.
* HP Insight Control Environment for Linux, a complete, easy-to-deploy Linux management solution. It features powerful Linux cluster technology that improves application performance, which can sharpen a business's competitive edge.

Mobile security for midsize companies

HP also announced HP Secure Remote Access, which helps midsize business customers create sales opportunities by offering convenient, secure and complete access to critical business information from anywhere at any time.

It interfaces with other HP devices, such as desktop PCs, thin clients, business notebooks, tablet PCs, iPAQ handhelds and smartphones. HP Secure Remote Access includes Citrix Access Essentials, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2.

HP reinforces channel support

As part of a continuing effort to empower channel members, HP also announced an advanced online configuration tool to help value-added resellers and other channel partners quickly and easily select the best configuration for their customers' business applications.

Availability and pricing

All products, services and solutions are available today. Pricing for the HP ProLiant BL260c G5 starts at R10 999 excluding VAT and the HP ProLiant DL120 G5 at R8 399 excluding VAT. [5] Pricing of the CRM solutions is available through HP channel partners and varies based on the number of users or capacity requirements.

[1] AMI-Partners, "2007-08 WW Medium Business IT Infrastructure Market research," 4 February 2008, based on AMI's annual tracking studies conducted in 14 countries.
[2] HP defines midmarket as market of midsize businesses with 100-999 employees.
[3] Compared to the lowest price configuration of the Dell M600 server blade available on Dell's Web site.
[4] Based on HP internal benchmarks.
[5] Estimated RSA street prices. Actual prices may vary.

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totalling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended 31 January 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialise or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended 31 January 2008 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 31 October 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

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