News release

HP Delivers Industry-first Management Capabilities for Microsoft System Center

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HP today announced HP Insight Control suite for Microsoft® System Center (HP ICE-SC), the industry’s first integrated management environment to lower infrastructure costs and improve uptime of HP server and Microsoft software environments.

By integrating the server management features of HP ProLiant and HP BladeSystem into Microsoft System Center consoles, administrators can gain increased visibility into, and greater control of, their technology environments. This enhanced visibility into the health of IT systems enables a faster response in the event of server failure, reducing the risk of downtime. By automating server deployments and updates, administrative productivity is also greatly improved.

A crucial part of the HP Adaptive Infrastructure strategy is to provide the strongest management experience for HP ProLiant and BladeSystem servers. The new HP ICE-SC enables administrators to monitor and respond to software and hardware events through the Microsoft System Center consoles. This includes:

• Server health warnings and prefailure condition alerts with Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2007;
• Proactive virtual machine management using Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2008; and
• Enhanced configuration management via Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007.

HP ICE-SC also provides more than 25 performance and resource optimization tips for Microsoft SCVMM, including recommended actions for host system alerts and events. Greater insight into the relationship between host and virtual machines allows administrators to resolve potential server performance problems to maintain maximum uptime.

With a simple-to-use wizard-based tool, HP ICE-SE enables administrators to configure server hardware and deploy server operating systems via Microsoft SCCM in a single operation. This transforms lengthy manual deployments into a highly automated process that significantly reduces deployment time of HP ProLiant or BladeSystem servers.

“Now more than ever, customers need deeper insight and more precise management control of their HP servers in a Microsoft environment,” said Scott Farrand, vice president, Infrastructure Software and BladeSystem, HP. “HP ICE-SC achieves a new level of integration that will enable customers to maximize their HP and Microsoft technology investments.”

HP ICE-SC customer benefits include:

• Increased uptime: Uptime is ensured through quick problem troubleshooting and improved system recovery, even when the system is powered off or no longer responding. Integration with leading remote management functionality from HP Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) Advanced allows administrators to control HP servers anytime, in any location – directly from the Microsoft SCOM console.
• Reclaimed trapped power: Customers can increase the number of servers threefold using the same power allocation and infrastructure with HP Dynamic Power Capping capabilities.⁽¹⁾ This is done by safely capping power usage to fit more servers within existing power envelopes. Access to historical power usage for accurate budget and capacity planning is also provided.
• Simplified virtualization: Businesses can quickly adapt to the changing demands for business services through integration with Microsoft SCVMM. By automatically migrating virtual machines based on the health of the underlying host, the virtual infrastructure is more responsive to changes.

”HP has taken a significant step toward delivering seamless, comprehensive hardware management integration across the Microsoft System Center suite, helping companies maximize their existing technology investments,” said Brad Anderson, general manager, Management and Services Division, Microsoft. “For customers with HP ProLiant and BladeSystem hardware, HP Insight Control suite for Microsoft System Center extends deep control of their infrastructure directly from System Center to more effectively manage across their enterprise, lowering costs and improving performance.”

HP ICE-SC includes a full year of 24/7 phone support, providing unmatched service levels. It will be available in June for download from www.hp.com as well as from select partners. This solution also includes access to software updates. Pricing starts at $549.⁽²⁾

HP and Microsoft have a 25-year-plus history of executive-level integration, joint engineering, research and development, and joint solutions development. The only worldwide Microsoft prime integrator, HP is one of Microsoft’s largest partners and offers more than 30,000 technology services experts globally. More information on HP ICE-SC is available at www.hp.com/go/ICESystemCenter.

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

⁽¹⁾ “Cost Model: Dollars per kilo watt plus Dollars per Square Foot of Computer Floor,” W. Pitt Turner IV with Kenneth G. Brill, Uptime Institute, 2008.
⁽²⁾ Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.

Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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; any statements regarding 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 macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009 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 October 31, 2008. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.