HP switches to ASPs with WAP-enabled Unix server

HP today launched what it claims is the first off-the-shelf Unix server to come with Nokia's WAP server capabilities.

The announcement highlights a shift in the company's channel strategy from private networks to service providers.

At the unveiling, Laurent Balaine, VP and general manager of enterprise marketing for HP, said: "The new Piranha will really take a bite out of the opposition. You will see HP shaping and driving the service provider market."

He added that HP's enthusiasm for the low-end service provider market will produce significant changes to its channel strategy. The company predicts that although the most important IT partner for most companies is currently a vendor, in two years time it will be a service provider - with many companies renting their applications over the Web.

In addition to the new product, HP has adopted a strategy to allow it to sell both to and through ASPs. The choice of software partners is also designed to appeal to this market.

Balaine added: "We provide the most comprehensive channel coverage of any of the major vendors, and this change will build upon that."

With the A-Class Piranha servers, which come with a variety of applications, HP is attempting to take market share away from Sun in the low-end server market.

The Piranha server range features a single-processor model priced at $4,600, and a dual-processor version costing $9,200.

HP plans to ship in July.