HP Puts SMBs at the Heart of Several New Products
Communication, collaboration, and networking solutions are released to help SMBs manage business processes, relationships, and professional networks. The company is also rolling out products designed to advance the convergence of servers, storage, networking, and management.
Hewlett-Packard announced a number of new solutions this week for SMBs. Specifically, the company introduced new communication, collaboration, and networking solutions as well as new storage solutions and online services. All these products have the needs of SMBs at the heart of their aims.
According to an HP press release submitted to EH Publishing, the company’s new solutions were designed to “help SMBs grow.” The storage and online services were created to “enable SMBs to efficiently protect data and manage operations.” The communication, collaboration, and networking solutions were designed to “enable SMBs to streamline communications and operations while deploying more efficient routes to market in order to expand business opportunities.”
COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, AND NETWORKING
By unifying messaging, collaboration, and telephony technology, HP believes SMBs will want to capitalize on mobile devices and the flexibility of interactive online work environments.† For that reason, HP has a number of new offerings.
The offerings are:
HP and Microsoft Unified Communication & Collaboration–This solution increases business productivity while reducing collaboration costs, HP says. It’s a unified communications platform that includes servers, storage, networking, and software to streamline operations across messaging, video, and voice applications.
HP Virtual Rooms–This interactive workplace solution aims to simplify remote collaboration for SMBs. The software application provides a single virtual online location. HP says the application features several monthly billing pricing options.
Small Biz Nation–SMBs looking to strengthen and expand their professional network may enjoy the peer-to-peer support and other resources sponsored by HP and Intel in this LinkedIn community.
HP 48Upper–This online service was created to help SMBs to manage the processes inherent to their IT business, form project planning and operations to service management.
CONVERGENCE
HP Converged Infrastructure is HPs attempt at providing a blueprint for SMBs looking to deploy a technology. New HP solutions that advance the convergence of servers, storage, networking, and management include:
HP V1410 Switch–With eight-, 16- and 24-port gigabit options, the HP V1410 delivers reliable “plug and play” connectivity among client PCs, servers, and storage devices. The switch is part of HP’s recently expanded V-series portfolio.
HP StorageWorks X310 Data Vault–For simple, low-cost deduplication and backup, HP offers this product to SMBs. It is designed to improve productivity with local and remote file access for up to 10 PC clients in addition to Macs.
HP StorageWorks X1000 Network Storage System–Storage capacity utilization improvement is the aim of this product. It provides twice the drives of previous generations in half the space.
HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 SAS Modular Array (MSA) —Over previous generation products, this system increases performance and doubles capacity. It features the latest 6 Gb Serial Attached SCSI technology for shared storage consolidation.
INTERNAL OPERATIONS & PRODUCTIVITY
According to HP, there are several new products for SMBs looking to improve efficiencies across their respective organizations. Some of those new HP products are:
HP Download Store–SMBs can gain access to HP’s premium support services without an annual contract via the Download store. It offers the choice of six pay-as-you-go support and collaboration services, including HP SmartFriend Assistance and HP Performance Tune-up Service.
HP PC Helpdesk and Windows 7 Onsite Upgrade Service–This includes onsite and remote technical installation support and operating system migration.
HP Insight Remote Support–This software discovers potential issues during software installation or operation via a new Device Health Capability.
HP Business Support Center Forums–This “one-stop, online support experience” aims to improve communication and collaboration among SMBs.
HP Proactive Select Services–These expert resources are being offered in hopes of reducing the risk of infrastructure downtime. Through HP or its channel partners, clients can access services across information technology infrastructure library (ITIL), blades, storage, and virtualization.
HP Sustainability Reporting: An Essential Marketing Tool–SMBs can use this tool to communicate their environmental practices, sustainability efforts, and results.
HP Financial Services–The company’s leasing and life cycle asset management services division offers SMBs a wide range of total financing solutions.