Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard have announced a joint marketing
campaign that targets the multibillion-dollar server and storage
consolidation market already dominated by Network Appliance and
EMC.
The collaboration will focus on consolidating old Microsoft
Netware, Exchange and Unix servers onto modern, high-capacity
arrays from HP, using Microsoft's "more tightly" integrated Windows
2003 operating system, which is due out in April.
HP said it would also announcing Windows-friendly software products
during the next six months.
"There are two million file servers and half a million message
servers out there, and customers are starting to understand the
benefits of consolidating their server and storage environment,"
said Roger Archibault, vice-president and general manager of HP's
Infrastructure and NAS Division.
Neither Microsoft nor HP would disclose the amount to be spent on
the campaign, saying only that it would be between hundreds of
thousands and millions of dollars.
Microsoft's Enterprise Storage Division vice president of sales and
marketing Charles Stevens said the two companies will promote new
products, training and joint services that will be announced during
the next few years.
One of the first efforts will be a North American road show
beginning in March to demonstrate joint architectures and products.
The road show is expected to reach more than 3,500 customers and
channel partners via live events and simultaneous webcasts.
"HP's strategy of integrating leading NAS solutions with
[storage-area networks] to provide a single, managed storage pool
has advanced our market position considerably over the past three
quarters," said Howard Elias, senior vice president and general
manager of HP Network Storage Solutions.
"By collaborating with Microsoft and integrating Windows-powered
NAS as a key part of our NAS portfolio, HP is able to reach the
broadest cross-section of customers with the industry's most
comprehensive set of NAS and NAS/SAN fusion solutions."