HP Mobility Solutions, Partner Programs Boost SMBs

With the number of mobile devices (and workers) increasing by the day, Hewlett-Packard (HP) (NYSE: HPQ) is reaching out to small-business customers with a range of appliances and services designed to simply IT deployment and bolster productivity for the mobile workforce.

In an effort to address mobile security, HP released the Client Virtualization SMB virtual desktop solution, which protects company data by storing user profiles and data on a centralized server.

For small businesses with limited IT support, risk reduction and a simplified approach to mobile network deployment is critical. HP’s Multi-Service Router (MSR) Series, 1910 8G Switch Series and X5000 network-attached storage (NAS) platform are designed to address this by offering streamlined network management, Power over Ethernet energy-saving features and network access.

HP also rolled out a collaboration platform that includes Microsoft Lync software, HP VoIP phones, HP networking and HP ProLiant Gen8 servers, storage and services.

As part of its SMB onslaught, the company is reaching out to customers and channel partners with enhanced programs, including the Even Better Than Zero financing program, enabling companies to lease HP equipment at a less-than-zero implicit lease rate while offering a fair-market-value purchase option. The offering is available through the company’s Financial Services division.

Finally, HP’s cloud-based Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) e-Learning platform hosted on HP Converged Cloud infrastructure, offers free information and courses to help SMBs establish or grow their businesses.