Businesses mitigate data centre deployment risk with HP's proven methodology, new assessment tools

Issued by Arcay Communications for HP
Johannesburg, 25 Sep 2009

HP today unveiled the next generation of the HP Adaptive Infrastructure Maturity Model (AIMM), which includes innovative technology enhancements and assessment tools to enable customers to make informed technology buying and operational process decisions.

AIMM provides an insightful, holistic view of the data centre, with an exclusive set of benchmarks and best practices derived from more than 75 000 data points garnered from independent research.

Built on HP's proven methodology and extensive data centre expertise, the two new assessment tools - HP AIMM Express and HP AIMM Preview - are geared toward small and midsize businesses and channel partners.

Chief information officers are facing mounting pressure to future-proof their data centres by creating a technology infrastructure that is responsive to changing market conditions. To support that objective, HP is offering customers direct access to HP data centre best practices and deployment expertise.

“Customers need to ensure their data centre technology infrastructure can respond to changing market conditions and prepare the business for future growth,” said Rachel Cooke, Data Centre Services Business Manager, HP South Africa. “AIMM allows customers to prioritise technology deployments with the confidence that their ongoing investments are based on detailed, objective data backed by years of collected data centre benchmarks.”

HP recommendations resulting from face-to-face workshops, coupled with a customised reporting, enables customers to identify new solutions and invest in technology suited to their specific business requirements. The service also enables customers to join a member-based online community dedicated to AIMM and hosted by Connect, HP's business user group. This allows customers to share best practices and learn from real world data centre deployment experience.

“The AIMM workshop was a productive and highly beneficial exercise, as it allowed us to more accurately understand the progression toward our strategic objectives,” said Mike Re, Chief Information Officer, South African Airways. “The process provided insight into IT areas that need specific attention and showed us where we need to realign our plans to further optimise our targets.”

AIMM measures four distinct domains: technology and architecture; management tools and processes; culture and staffing; as well as demand, supply and IT governance. The tool's database includes critical data, such as power savings, server optimisation and products currently in use, of approximately 1 500 companies across vertical segments spanning manufacturing, financial services, public sector, communications, media and entertainment.

Auxiliary offerings for pragmatic decision-making

HP also expanded the functionality of AIMM with two new tools, HP AIMM Express and HP AIMM Preview:

* AIMM Express speeds decision-making for small and midsize businesses. Qualified HP channel partners can work with customers to develop a preliminary data centre evaluation, recommend products and services, and establish a strategic dialogue with customers that facilitate a purchase decision.
* AIMM Preview provides customers with a limited appraisal through a Web-based application. The online snapshot demonstrates the business value that can be achieved from a comprehensive AIMM engagement. AIMM Preview is accessible online at http://www.hp.com/go/aimmpreview.

HP, the world's largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.co.za/.

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