HP Offers Two New Unified Communications Solutions for HP BladeSystem
HP today introduced two unified communications (UC) solutions hosted on the HP BladeSystem to help businesses manage multiple communication tools within a single, consolidated platform. By enabling customers to host, integrate and manage email, messaging, presence, conferencing and telephony on a single platform, the new HP Solution Blocks for Unified Communications can help increase employee productivity while decreasing administrative workload.
(Media-Newswire.com) - HP today introduced two unified communications ( UC ) solutions hosted on the HP BladeSystem to help businesses manage multiple communication tools within a single, consolidated platform.
By enabling customers to host, integrate and manage email, messaging, presence, conferencing and telephony on a single platform, the new HP Solution Blocks for Unified Communications can help increase employee productivity while decreasing administrative workload.
Complementing a recently announced HP Services portfolio, the new solution blocks further HP's plans to deliver an integrated, comprehensive system, software and services portfolio for unified communications.
The solution blocks combine HP server blades, HP storage hardware, interconnect technology and applications that are based on best practice configurations. Other HP Solution Blocks, such as customer relationship management ( CRM ), enterprise resource planning ( ERP ) and business continuity, can be flexibly combined. They also can coexist with the UC Solution Blocks within one or more BladeSystem enclosures.
"The HP Solution Blocks for Unified Communications are designed to enable resellers to configure and integrate UC functionality quickly," said Jim Ganthier, director of BladeSystem marketing, Enterprise Storage and Servers, HP. "They pool both communication and IT infrastructure resources to deliver real savings while providing a unified environment that can be managed locally or remotely."
The HP BladeSystem UC solutions are based on Microsoft® unified communications software and the forthcoming unified communications stack from Ericsson on both HP BladeSystem c7000 and HP BladeSystem c3000 enclosures.
The solution blocks from HP, Ericsson and Microsoft enable an important transformation for many customers towards an IT environment that is aligned and optimized for better business outcomes. The solution addresses the end-user situation both inside and outside the office and it is supported by the strongest leaders in their respective fields.
HP Solution Blocks for Ericsson unified communications software
The HP Solution Block for Ericsson Unified Communications provides businesses with advanced telephony applications from Ericsson, certified by HP. This solution block saves on both the time and expense of supporting fixed and mobile communications. The software components include:
Ericsson Mobility Gateway: Software that enables businesses to integrate and use their mobile devices as extensions of their corporate communications networks, with access to PBX functions such as directory search, conference calling as well as presence information, click-to-dial, soft buttons and dynamic mobile least-cost routing and other SIP-based services. Ericsson has announced that they will deliver future versions of the Ericsson Enterprise Mobility Gateway built on Microsoft Office Communications Server's VoIP call management, enabling HP to leverage its relationship with both companies.
Ericsson MX-ONE™: A server-based IP-PBX that integrates seamlessly with IT resources, MX-ONE is a set of independent software modules that offers businesses an all-in-one solution combining IP, fixed telephony and mobility, including telephony server, media gateway, messaging applications and management.
Ericsson Enterprise Multimedia Server: A server-based, SIP IP-PBX for converged fixed/mobile communications with presence management, mobile least-cost routing, voice, email, fax, SMS, instant messaging and voice recording.
"Effective collaboration that directly impacts both the top and bottom line requires skillful integration to create communication solutions that will allow people to connect with people from anywhere on any device," said Urban Gillström, head of Enterprise Business, Ericsson. "HP's leadership in business-to-IT alignment, strong BladeSystem technology and close collaboration with Ericsson enable deployment of open and integrated unified communications solutions that address immediate customer needs as well as future business demands."
HP Solution Blocks for Microsoft unified communications software
The HP Solution Block for Microsoft Unified Communications software delivers specific product and solutions development, which helps HP deliver on the promise of the HP & Microsoft Solutions for the People-Ready Business Initiative. The HP Solution Block provides businesses with an HP-approved solution that can be the cornerstone for a secure, regulation-compliant unified communications system.
This solution block is ideal for flexible and mobile workforces and can be customized to match exacting requirements to contain costs, scale with growth and to simplify system setup and ongoing management. The software components include:
Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007: Software that delivers VoIP, video, instant messaging, conferencing and presence within the applications people already know and use such as Outlook, SharePoint and other Microsoft Office system applications.
Microsoft Office Communicator 2007: Client software for phone, instant messaging and video communications that works across the PC, mobile phone and web browser.
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The industry's leading email, voicemail, calendaring and unified messaging platform.
"Microsoft's relationship with HP reflects a strategic effort from both companies to enable a seamless experience with unified communications applications - one that provides flexibility for IT managers and allows people to easily collaborate with one another," said Kim Akers, general manager, Unified Communications Group, Microsoft. "Our alliance allows customers to use the power of Microsoft's unified communications platform together with HP's proven BladeSystem technologies."
Customers also can protect their investments in unified communications software while their business grows by starting with the smaller, lower cost HP BladeSystem c3000 and then easily moving their blade servers, blade storage, interconnects and applications to the larger HP BladeSystem c7000 as needs require.
The Solution Block program is part of the HP BladeSystem Solution Builder Program, a comprehensive community of more than 300 technology and service providers that together are accelerating the deployment of customer-centric solutions on HP BladeSystem.
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 totaling $100.5 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2007. More information about HP ( NYSE: HPQ ) is available at http://www.hp.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize 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 July 31, 2007 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 Oct. 31, 2006. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
This story was released on 2007-11-02. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.