Hewlett-Packard, barely three months after its merger with Compaq Computer, has unveiled a revamped enterprise storage strategy that aims to simplify data management better than main rivals IBM and EMC.
The new StorageWorks portfolio introduced in the Asia-Pacific region this week combines technologies from the pre-merger HP and Compaq with industry initiatives that promote greater interoperability with other storage systems vendors.
Cornelia Clapper, vice-president at HP's network storage solutions division, said: 'These products are designed to help customers manage explosive growth of business-critical data by stretching capacity, multiplying storage management productivity and reducing application downtime.'
The products include the refrigerator-sized StorageWorks EVA (enterprise virtual array) version 2 system inherited from Compaq and the XP-series machines, which use technology licensed from storage specialist Hitachi Data Systems.
Also available are the mid-range storage systems, including the VA (virtual array) 7410, entry-level NAS (network-attached storage) b2000 and tape drive products that scale from 40 gigabytes to 200GB.
Networking products include the StorageWorks Core and Edges switch lines.
These enhanced software products include programs designed for the StorageWorks VA and XP hardware platforms, as well as for linking and managing storage-area networking assets.