HP Offers Storage, VDI Solutions for Small Businesses

The tech giant rolls out storage offerings based on the LeftHand operating system and an updated VDI platform in collaboration with Citrix.

Hewlett-Packard announced Nov. 1 a slew of products and services aimed at helping small and midsize businesses (SMBs) simplify their IT infrastructure and improve mobile access. The initiative includes the expansion of the company’s Converged Infrastructure portfolio with storage and network solutions to boost employee productivity by providing secure access to business applications and data through mobile devices.

HP’s storage offerings include StoreVirtual Storage, a scale-out storage platform with support for virtualization. Based on the HP’s LeftHand operating system and ProLiant Generation 8 (Gen8) technology, Store Virtual Storage allows SMBs to add physical storage without disruption and the ability to move data across virtual or physical storage. The StoreVirtual Storage 4130 and 4330 models will be available Dec. 4, with a starting price of $11,500.

In addition, the StoreEasy Storage platform is an integrated solution that supports file and application workloads with built-in deduplication and encryption. Native Windows integration enables SMBs to configure and manage StoreEasy Storage without learning a new proprietary storage management system. The platform supports 10,000 users in a three-unit form factor, as well as multiple workloads from a single platform. The system will be available Dec. 10, with a starting price of $5,192 for the 8-terabyte capacity version.

The updated HP Client Virtualization SMB Reference Architecture for Citrix VDI-in-a-Box supports 50 percent more users than the previous version. Aimed at small businesses deploying virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions, the platform allows organizations to securely and remotely access desktops, applications and the company’s server from any client device. User data is saved on the server instead of the mobile device to ensure it is not lost, stolen, damaged or pirated.

Finally, the HP M220 Series Access Point, the newest addition to the HP FlexNetwork architecture, provides increased bandwidth while simplifying network management and maintenance with “clustering” technology, which enables SMBs to deploy and manage up to 10 network access points as a single entity, rather than a series of separate wireless devices. The platform is also designed to improve network security by detecting rogue access points as well as reducing security risks caused by misconfigured access points. The appliance is expected to be available through HP and its authorized channel partners on Nov. 12, with a starting price of $319. Shipments will commence in December, a company release said.

“Mobility will soon be a normal part of every SMB workplace, as it moves from being used primarily for email to supporting critical business applications such as CRM and sales inventory,” Robert Anderson, vice president of research at Gartner, said in a statement. “Small and midsize businesses must align and modernize their existing IT capabilities to take advantage of the business benefits and competitive differentiation mobility brings.”