HP today announced a new blueprint for Small Business which aims to simplify and reduce the cost of managing IT. The blueprint, HP Converged Infrastructure embraces a raft of new storage and networking hardware announced today, alongside a suite of supporting online service and support products and small business collaboration initiatives.
Today’s announcement includes:
New Storage Hardware
HP StorageWorks X310 Data Vault
A new entry-level storage, data backup and remote access solution for micro-business (1-10 seats) powered by Windows Home Server. The server’s four drive bays provides internal expansion of up to 7 TB and up to 15 TB when utilising the server’s eSATA and four USB 2.0 ports. The X310 is powered by Intel’s Atom D510 dual core processor and 2GB RAM and is priced at $549. We’ve had the X310 on test for the past week, and you can check out out thoughts on the new server in our Hands On Review.
HP StorageWorks X1000 Network Storage System
Powered by Windows Storage Server 2008, the X1000 allows growing businesses to merge groups of direct attached storage into a single, easy to use shared network storage platform. The solution includes HP’s Automated Storage Manager (ASM) software to allow clients to share files far more quickly than previously, alongside automated tools to allow easy administration, storage set-up and migration of data, removing the need for an IT expert on site. The X1000 is listed at $3,512 and is available in tower and rackmount form factors.
HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 Modular Smart Array (MSA) System
At the top end of the market, $16,500 buys you the P2000 G3 SAS MSA System, designed for SMBs and enterprise departmental or remote offices to manage and protect data. The system can scale from just 2 to 149 drives, and is supported by HP StorageWorks 2000 Modular Smart Array Snapshot software, which automatically replicates snapshots of data to a different set of disks within the array.
You can dig into the detail on the new storage products announced today over at HP.com.
New Networking Hardware
HP also announced new networking solutions for small business – their first since completing the acquisition of 3Com earlier in the year. Amongst the new products is the HP V1410 Switch Series, which builds on the existing HP ProCurve 1400 range. 8, 16 and 24 port switches are available, with wall and rackmounting options for each. A lifetime warranty plus next-day replacement policy comes as standard.
A number of re-branded 3Com lines have also been unveiled, including the HP V1905 and V1910 Switch Series (formerly the 3Com Baseline Plus 2900 and Baseline Plus 220 and OfficeConnect Smart Managed respectively), managed switches with Power over Ethernet for IP phones, cameras and wireless access points. Fast (10/100) and Gigabit Ethernet models are available. The entry level HP V1405 Switch Series (also known as the 3Com Baseline and Office Connect) is a basic, fanless plug and play switch with pre-configured Fast Ethernet and Gigabit options for fast deployment.
Finally, HP’s new V100 Wireless N Router Series enhances security with an integrated firewall, Fast Ethernet Switch and a wireless access point.
New Small Business Services
Perhaps most interesting in today’s announcement is HP’s continued development of communication, collaboration and networking services for SMBs, which are clearly a growing (and potentially lucrative) market for the company. New services announced today include HP Virtual Rooms, remote online collaboration space with pricing from $12.95 per month through to $54.95 per month for 5 – 25 seats. A joint HP/Microsoft Unified Communication and Collaboration solution brings together hardware, software and services around Microsoft Exchange 2010, Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007 R2 for AV, web conferencing and remote client access and Sharepoint Server 2010.
HP also announced a new small business peer to peer networking intiative in conjunction with LinkedIn. Small Biz Nation’s social network aims to strength business relationships as well as provide community support for a range of business issues – tech as well as non-tech.
For midsized businesses, HP 48Upper is pitched as “a new social approach to IT Management” – or in HP’s words, “a service that enables IT professionals to manage across all the processes that make up IT – from project planning and operations to service management. Built-in community features also make it easier to share best practices across an organization.”
All of the products announced today are available immediately in the US.
