HP Introduces Personalized Systems Support for PC Servers in Mixed Environments; New Software Service Extends Support for Windows NT and Novell NetWare Servers on HP-UX or MPE Environments

Business Wire, May 19, 1997

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 1997-- Hewlett-Packard Company today introduced HP Personalized Systems Support for PC Servers, a proactive software support solution designed to ensure minimal productivity loss in medium-sized, large and enterprise-class distributed-computing environments. This solution extends the same support benefits currently available for the enterprise to Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R) and Novell NetWare mixed in with HP-UX(1) or MPE/iX environments, furthering the company's lead in providing enterprisewide client/server services and support in mixed environments.

"Our company's processing system has a host of unique support needs because of its 40 sites throughout the United States, and most of them comprise mixed UNIX system and Windows NT environments," said Phil Latona, director of information systems manager of INX International Ink Co., a specialty-ink company based in Elk Grove Village, Ill. "Personalized Systems Support is an ideal support service in that it enables us to have a single point of coordination for support, helping us increase the productivity of our people supporting other systems."

HP's Personalized Systems Support is part of the company's strategy to resolve the complexity inherent in integrating Microsoft Windows NT or Novell NetWare networks mixed in with HP-UX or MPE/iX environments.

FLEXIBLE SUPPORT TO MEET SPECIFIC CUSTOMER NEEDS

The core service associated with the solution includes an assigned, account support engineer experienced in software and trained and certified by Microsoft and/or Novell. An engineer provides the customer with an annual interoperability review advising the customer about integration, interoperability and best practices for optimizing mixed environments. For the PC server environment, specifically, two operational reviews are provided to help improve operational availability. Whenever a major software problem is discovered, an HP engineer immediately notifies the customer and works directly with the customer to reduce the risk of system unavailability.

Another core service feature is a Windows NT or NetWare updating review designed to allow customers to introduce new operating-system software effortlessly into their computing environments. Patch-management assistance also is provided twice a year to recommend patch installations. Two HP Response Center features round out the set of core services: One provides a customer advocate to ensure customer needs are being met; another reviews the customer phone calls placed to the Response Center to track trends and potential problems.

Customers may add network support centered around trouble-shooting and fault isolation. A number of preventive services using remote support and predictive technologies also may be added to the service, and include the following:

-- system-security review to provide recommendations for protecting against unauthorized system access;

-- performance-analysis review to suggest solutions for system-performance improvements; and

-- change planning to provide recommendations for implementing contingencies, testing and risk assessments (thereby minimizing the risks of making technical changes to the operating environment).

CUSTOMER-FOCUSED SOLUTIONS

HP Personalized Systems Support complements HP's family of availability solutions, including Critical Systems Support, for businesses running enterprise-class computing environments that require extremely high systems availability, and business-continuity support, the most advanced high-availability support that HP offers. "Today's announcement underscores HP's ongoing commitment to leadership in mixed UNIX system and Windows NT computing environments and to delivering first-class software support," said Doug Blackwood, marketing program manager of HP's Software Services Division.

U.S. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The HP Personalized System Support family of services is now available across HP-UX, MPE, Microsoft Windows NT and Novell NetWare enterprise environments. Prices for the new HP Personalized System Support for PC Servers start at $6,600 for a 12-month contract.

ABOUT HP

HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance supplier to the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and Intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 114,600 employees and had revenue of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

Information about HP services can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/go/4/service . -0-

Note to Editors:(1) HP-UX 9.X and 10.0 for HP 9000 Series 700 and 800 computers are X/Open(R) Company UNIX(R) 95 branded products. HP-UX 10.20 is an X/Open UNIX 95 branded product.

X/Open is a registered trademark, and the X device is a trademark of X/Open Company Ltd. in the UK and other countries.

UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.