HP and PlanetGov Go for Servers and Storage at IRS

Enterprise Networks & Servers, Feb 2004

An HP partner, PlanetGov, has been awarded a single-award blanket purchase agreement by the Internal Revenue Service, a branch of the Department of Treasury, to implement an industry-standard server and network storage solution for IT consolidation. The blanket purchase agreement has an estimated value of $50 million..

PlanetGov and HP will replace a percentage of the 4,400 IBM and Dell servers and approximately 30 storage area networks currently in use at the 1RS during each of the next four years. HP will provide approximately 3,000 industry-standard HP ProLiant servers, including blade servers, 30 HP Storage Works storage area networks and professional consulting services.

The contract is in addition to a three-year, $100 million purchase agreement HP and PlanetGov secured in 2002 to supply the 1RS with Compaq Evo desktop and notebook PCs.

"Together with HP and PlanetGov, the 1RS is addressing IT challenges associated with the growing American taxpayer base," said Jim Weynand, vice president and general manager, Public sector Organization, HP. "This agreement extends and expands the commitment of HP and PlanetGov to assist the 1RS in cutting systems administration costs by simplifying its IT infrastructure with industry-standard solutions."

"PlanetGov recognizes the technical strength and product depth of HP and is proud of the relationship our companies have forged to deliver this enterprise solution of product, consulting and design services," said Steve Baldwin, chief executive officer, PlanetGov. "HP assisted us in meeting the 1RS requirement of a 'partnering solution.' Together, we are providing the 1RS with a blueprint for the implementation of emerging technology through the consolidation of servers, while providing maximum storage capabilities and efficient system management tools and practices for network enterprise solutions."

PlanetGov, an information technology systems integrator and professional services company, primarily assists federal government customers with network engineering and convergence, security and information assurance and major systems deployment.

The 1RS will purchase 1100 of the HP servers in 2004 and 600 each year of the remaining six years.