Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Enhance Internet-Enabling Solutions for Service Providers

Strategic Insights -

Hewlett-Packard Company and Microsoft Corporation have partnered to develop a multi-year agreement that will enhance internet-enabling solutions for service providers. The Service Provider-in-a-Box (SP-in-a-Box) solution will incorporate both HP and Microsoft products and next-generation technologies to support Application Service Provider (ASP) applications, mobility, and interactive WebTV solutions.

The partnership will allow service providers to create new services quickly while delivering on service level agreements (SLAs). The SP-in-a-Box integrated solution includes HP NetServer systems and storage hardware integrated with Microsoft's NT Server and Windows 2000, as well as Microsoft Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition and Microsoft Commercial Internet System (MCIS). This pre-integrated and pre-tested solution enables service providers to experience faster time to market, an expanded market reach, and a better return on investment. Additionally, service providers can prioritize Web traffic, monitor Internet usage, and easily bill for services with the included HP software solutions.

"Our experience in providing mission-critical infrastructure solutions to service providers gives us a unique perspective into the business, technology, and service needs of the market," said Eric Buatois, general manager of HP's Communications Industry Business Unit. "By incorporating HP and Microsoft technology, the SP-in-a-Box pre-integrated solution offers a lower cost of ownership with a faster time to market, ideal for service providers for whom value-added services are the differentiators."

The partnership will also enable service providers to offer their customers a wide array of Windows-based applications without the need for large investment in specialized IT resources. The Windows platform provides a high level of scalability, reliability, and management features that enable service providers to deploy application services quickly and cost effectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft partnership aims to enhance internet-enabling solutions for service providers through the Service Provider-in-a-Box (SP-in-a-Box) solution.
  • The SP-in-a-Box solution includes HP NetServer systems and storage hardware integrated with Microsoft's NT Server and Windows 2000, as well as Microsoft Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition and Microsoft Commercial Internet System (MCIS).
  • The pre-integrated and pre-tested solution enables service providers to experience faster time to market, an expanded market reach, and a better return on investment.
  • Service providers can prioritize Web traffic, monitor Internet usage, and easily bill for services with the included HP software solutions.
  • The partnership will enable service providers to offer their customers a wide array of Windows-based applications without the need for large investment in specialized IT resources.
  • The Windows platform provides a high level of scalability, reliability, and management features that enable service providers to deploy application services quickly and cost effectively.

Statistics:

  • 85,400: Number of HP employees worldwide
  • $42.4 billion: Total revenue from continuing operations for HP in its 1999 fiscal year
  • 1999: Fiscal year for HP when the company had a total revenue of $42.4 billion

Sources:

  • Hewlett-Packard Company, "HP and Microsoft Partner to Enhance Internet-Enabling Solutions for Service Providers" (March 22, 2000)
  • Business Wire, "HP and Microsoft Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Enhance Internet-Enabling Solutions for Service Providers" (March 22, 2000)