HP'S New Online Tools Simplify How Channel Partners Order, Register and Manage Wide Range of HP Support Services

Business Wire, Nov 4, 1998

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1998--Hewlett-Packard Company today announced a suite of Web-based tools that simplify how channel partners order, register and manage a wide range of HP support services. The secure online system furthers HP's commitment to provide flexible, cost-effective tools to channel partners that offer HP support services to end customers.

HP Channel Services On-Line currently includes two primary sets of tool functionality: it enables channel partners to order and register an electronic version of the popular HP SupportPack family of services, and it allows participating members of HP's Channel Partner Subcontractor Program to manage end-customer support agreements for UNIX(R) system and Windows(R) environments.

HP Channel Services On-Line has been available to targeted channel partners worldwide since December 1997, and, with recent enhancements, it now is being unveiled to partners with more varied business environments.

Channel partners can use the tool to order from the current HP SupportPack portfolio of services, which range from standard hardware maintenance to scalable levels of support for mission-critical environments. Other flexible service offerings are planned for inclusion in the near future.

Electronic ordering and registration eliminate the expense of maintaining a physical inventory of HP SupportPack products and provide instant availability of services to end customers. HP provides alternatives to streamline the capture of the electronic registration information from channel partners or end customers directly via fax or Web. By facilitating this process, HP has the most accurate data available to effectively deliver the service level expected by the end customer. The tool also provides daily Web sales- and order-tracking data.

"HP is laying a great foundation with this tool," said Mark Waelde, services champion for distributor Ingram Micro, Inc. "It's definitely impressive."

Additional functionality is slated to be added in early 1999 to broaden the availability of services to second-tier resellers.

HP Channel Services On-Line also helps channel partners simplify the management of HP support contracts they sell under HP's Channel Partner Subcontractor Program. The tool can be used to submit and view contract changes, verify pricing and configuration information, identify availability of services in local areas and submit contract renewals.

Electronic management of support contracts reduces administration costs while providing more accurate and timely information to channel partners when responding to customer inquiries.

"I really like the process HP used in working with us on implementing the tool," said Lataunya Partman, customer-service coordinator for U.S. Design, a leading storage-technology integrator and support provider. "They provided thorough support and acted on my feedback immediately. Using the tool has saved us a tremendous amount of time."

For further information, channel partners can contact their HP sales representatives or visit http://partner.americas.hp.com.

HP Channel Services On-Line is available worldwide in multiple languages and currencies. The on-line-support-agreements-management functionality is available in North America and Europe.

About HP

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 127,200 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Note to Editors: UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.