HP offers SMB refresh

HP has announced several new products aimed at small to medium-sized businesses looking to update infrastructure while reducing CAPEX.

On the wireless front, HP has launched an entry level access point based on its FlexNetwork architecture that it claims simplifies deployment through setup wizards and a single console for managing up to 10 devices. The M220 Series Access Point uses a clustering technology to allow IT administrators to easily deploy and configure rich media applications.

HP has also strengthened its entry level storage with a new sub £5k HP StoreEasy model designed for file and application workloads with built-in deduplication and encryption. The vendor claims the platform supports up to 10,000 users in a three-unit form factor, as well as multiple workloads from a single, consolidated platform.

At the sub £10k price point, HP has launched StoreVirtual Storage on its HP ProLiant Generation 8 technology that offers a scale-out storage platform for both physical and virtualised environments. The new platform uses the firms Lefthand technology found in its high-end SAN platforms and features advanced support for VMware and high availability. According to Bob McEwan, UKI Presales Manager for HP, this strategy to bring enterprise class features into the SMB offers a “seamless upgrade path as organisations grow.”

To support the new products, HP has also extended its ‘even better than zero’ leasing program through to January 2013. The program is available to both public sector agencies SMBs either direct or through channel partners and offers fixed monthly payments on qualifying transactions between £30,000 and £155,000 across a 36-month lease.

Through the programme, leasees pay for 98 percent of total qualifying hardware cost on a FMV lease, two percent less than a standard zero percent promotion offers.

According to McEwan, the arrangement is a direct lease between HP Financial Services (HPFS) and the end customer with no impact on the partner’s financials. “Neither partner nor HP pay anything to HPFS. It doesn’t matter if the equipment is charged to the customer by the partner, or by HP direct.

“In today’s environment of reduced capital availability HPFS helps customers procure equipment with an option to refresh at periodic intervals using ‘even better than zero’ is one such option. The benefit to partners is simple; these solutions from HPFS facilitate the sale for the partner especially when their customers are reluctant to invest,” McEwan adds.