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HP connects its products with a unified communications launch

  10 October 2007

Hewlett-Packard on Tuesday unveiled a portfolio of unified communications services that will link its hardware -- ranging from HP iPaq handheld devices to powerful servers -- with back-end communication software services.

The bundled products enable customers to connect via voice, fax, e-mail, voice mail, as well as video/data/audio conferencing by utilizing IP collaboration, wireless, and mobile technologies. HP said its new UC drive will also leverage its strategic alliances with Cisco Systems and Microsoft.

"Unified communications plans that are easy to implement and manage are an increasing priority for our customers," said Robb Rasmussen, VP of portfolio, marketing, and alliances for HP Services, in a statement.

Unified communications -- or UC as it's sometimes known -- is an emerging technology that links business processes with presence information, e-mail, voice mail, instant messaging, and video conferencing to allow for easy communications.

Building on its HP Services' UC portfolio, the new release will include measures ranging from enterprise customer help in creating custom UC road maps and VoIP integration to collaboration services to integrate telepresence and video conferencing. HP said it will also provide support services for UC offerings.

Citing Cisco and Microsoft's recent agreement to promote UC services, HP said their commitment will position HP "to meet customer demands for UC solutions that bridge Microsoft software and unified communications applications and Cisco communication solutions."

HP noted that its HP Services effort in conjunction with Microsoft Solutions and other joint efforts, including HP Messaging Solutions, will support collaboration using Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

HP said it is also working with Avaya, Ericsson, and Nortel to support its UC project.

News Source : http://www.itnews.com.au/