HP offers servers covering Unix, NT

In a maneuver to tap the burgeoning Internet market Hewlett-Packard Co. last week announced Internet servers and software that cover Unix and Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT platforms.

HP unveiled the HP Domain Enterprise Server family and integrated HP Domain Business Suite software system - Unix-based Internet and intranet servers with pre-integrated software. These servers which can be ramped up and ready to work in less than half an hour feature Domain Business Suite software server management based upon HP's OpenView technology Netscape Communications Corp.'s SuiteSpot publishing and groupware software and HP's OpenMail mail and messaging system.

The server line consists of five models that range in price from $9 450 to $85 000. HP Domain Business Suite with Netscape Enterprise Server is priced at $995 and includes 100 electronic mail user licenses and HP's server management system. All of the enterprise server and business suite products are available and shipping. In the federal market HP's Unix servers are carried on General Services Administration Schedule A by HP and Sylvest Management Systems Corp.

For smaller organizations HP introduced the HP NetServer Web Master an integrated Windows NT-based Internet PC server that allows users to access and achieve a presence on the Internet in less than an hour. NetServer Web Master is shipped preconfigured and features a Microsoft Internet engine and "wizards" developed by Intel Corp. to allow users to construct a Web page by pointing and clicking. Software includes Microsoft's Windows NT Server 4.0 and Internet Explorer 3.0 plus an Intel firewall and management console.

Pricing for the NetServer Web Master starts at about $9 999. It will be sold exclusively through HP's reseller channel and is scheduled to begin shipping Jan. 1. HP's NetServer product line is carried on the GSA schedule through resellers such as AmeriData Federal Systems Electronic Data Systems Corp. Entex Information Services Government Technology Services Inc. Pulsar Data Systems Inc. Westwood and Zenith Data Systems.

Jan Silverman director of Internet business development for HP's computer organization said the announcements mark a strong commitment from the company to aid customers in taking their operations to the Internet. "We are focusing the company heavily into the Internet area " he said.

Industry analysts applauded HP's move to hone its competitive strategy in the Internet arena. Jim Greene an analyst with Summit Strategies said HP may have been feeling the heat from companies such as Sun Microsystems Inc. and Compaq Computer Corp. which have come to the market with Internet packages. He said HP has lost "mind share if not market share" to both companies especially to Sun's Netra Internet server. Still Internet software and servers on the market are "the building blocks" in HP quest to remain competitive in the market he said.