News release

HP's Storage Solutions Improve Data Management, Security for Growing Businesses

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced several customer wins as it continues to generate new business from small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking enterprise storage solutions. HP and its solution providers are delivering business-critical data management and security solutions for emerging enterprises by leveraging HP StorageWorks storage area network (SAN) technology.

"HP's storage solutions are perfect for growing small- and medium-size businesses. With our storage solutions, customers' initial investment in directly attached server storage technology is protected as they transition to a SAN environment," said Robyn West, vice president SMB marketing, HP Personal Systems Group. "Within our partner network we have companies which specialize in understanding customers' storage needs and helping them plan for future requirements. The combination of our hardware and our partners' expertise delivers real value to our small and medium customers. It can save them both time and money."

SAN Solutions Drive New Business

• HP delivered a StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array to SM&P Utility Resources based in Carmel, Ind. (See press release titled "HP Wins Storage Deal with Major Underground Facility-locating Service Company.")

• ConvergentWorks, a Baltimore-based firm that provides technology outsourcing to law firms, consultants and other SMBs, recently purchased an HP Smart Array Cluster Storage solution. This IT solution offers the advanced data protection ideal for ConvergentWorks applications -- such as mail and messaging, Web server, databases, file/print server and domain controller in remote and distributed environments -- that require the higher level uptime provided by clustering.

• eCopy, a leading provider of products that transform paper documents into digital information and named on both the Inc 500 and Fast 500 lists of the nation's fastest growing companies, recently purchased an HP StorageWorks SSL2020 AIT Library. The storage library is an entry-level automation device that delivers reliable, low-cost data backup, restore and archival functions that fit a growing company's storage needs. Library modules can be stacked five high to give the customer up to 10 terabytes of storage within a 20U space. By stacking the modules, the customer can build a 10-drive solution that holds 100 data cassettes, giving them higher capacity and greater performance.

• Beringer Blass Wine Estates, a market leader in the international wine industry, controls more than 15,000 acres of vineyard land in the coastal regions of California, Australia and Europe. The company purchased a new HP StorageWorks Modular SAN Array 1000 to manage its customer database and enhance its ability to distribute its products more efficiently and effectively.

Solution Providers Key to Storage Success

A key strength of HP is the ability to provide a total solution based on in-house and partner expertise.

"We have been an enterprise solution provider supporting HP and Compaq solutions for more than 20 years addressing the IT needs of hundreds of customers over this time," said Steve Driesens, enterprise solutions specialist at VLSystems, a Southern California based provider and HP authorized reseller. "Our systems and software engineers custom tailor HP's industry-leading SAN, NAS and storage-enhanced server technology to deliver IT support that helps growing businesses protect their technology investment."

Based in Woodland Hills, Calif., OAO Healthcare Solutions, an HP authorized solutions provider, provides a full range of IT solutions and services that enable HMOs, PPOs, IPAs, TPAs, medical groups, self-funded organizations, employer groups, Medicare and Medicaid plans to improve their bottom line by automating their business processes, streamlining operations and improving their workflow.

OAO Healthcare Solutions uses HP StorageWorks solutions to support healthcare industry customers' ability to process and pay professional medical claims, manage the utilization of medical services and provide information to health plan members and physicians.

"The techniques developed as a result of using ultra secure and reliable storage solutions, such as those provided by HP, helps health care practices and companies operate more efficiently and ultimately helps hold down the cost of providing healthcare," said Desmond Nimmons, product distribution manager, OAO Healthcare Solutions, Inc.

Other HP wins in the SMB space include:

• SGS Tool Company, based in Munroe Falls, Ohio, purchased a new HP StorageWorks MSA 1000 5-node SAN for PeopleSoft.

• Who's Calling, Inc., a Kirkland, Wash.-based toll-free number call-measurement, ad-tracking and lead-producing service, recently purchased an MSA 1000 5-node SAN to support its back-end database infrastructure.

• Stanly Memorial Hospital, a financially secure, JCAHO-accredited hospital based in Albemarle, N.C., recently purchased an HP StorageWorks RAID Array 4100s high-availability 2-node cluster and direct attached storage equipment to accommodate the hospital's expansion.

"We are excited about implementing the StorageWorks Raid Array 4100 SAN solution. It will significantly expand our ability to grow dynamically and to provide storage for multiple new applications coming online over the few months, as well as improving responsiveness to our users," said Paul Graham, network manager, Stanly Memorial Hospital. "If we run out of space for one of our critical storage groups, we can quickly assign more space in the SAN without buying new drives and installing them. It makes life less stressful."

More information about HP's storage technology solutions is available at http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/index.html.

About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.