HP has unveiled a range of utility computing services to
allow users to address fluctuating processing demand.
HP is providing the hosted Infrastructure Provisioning Service
(IPS) and the Application Provisioning Service (APS) to compete
against similar services from companies such as IBM and Sun
Microsystems.
The data is processed in HP data centres. It can be compressed
and encrypted to be sent over the internet, or larger data sets can
be physically mailed to the centres.
Users can choose the type of HP server used to process the data,
with a 32-bit Intel-driven server costing 55 cents (33p) per
processor per hour. Faster Intel Itanium-based servers cost $1.50
per processor per hour.
Customers can also specify processing servers based on 64-bit
chips from AMD, at a cost midway between the Intel prices.
In addition, users can also pay HP to manage grid computing
software or compilers to help speed the processing of their
data.
