The HP Enterprise Discover 2016 conference continues today in Las Vegas. Here are updates on HPE's "the machine" development plus networking, storage, converged data center, Internet of Things and server strategies. Plus, ClearCenter and HPE offer updates in the SMB market.
First, in case you missed it here's a recap of Day 1:
- Day 1 overall live blog from multiple sessions
- HPE Pushes Beyond Hardware: Opens arms with Boeing, Docker, Dropbox, Microsoft and Home Depot.
Now, onto Day 2 coverage...
Day 2 General Session
- CEO Meg Whitman offered a very generic update on "the Machine" -- a next-generation computer platform. Our spin: The Machine seems to be HPE's answer to IBM Watson. Without announcing specific products, Whitman said the company will share updates on the Machine multiple times over the next few months.
- GE confirms that it built Predix industrial IoT platform atop HPE Proliant hardware.
- National Instruments confirms that it's working closely with HPE on edge computing technology.
- HPE is launching a range of IoT edge products. Keep an eye on new Converged IoT Systems.
- HPE IoT Channel Partners: Whitman vowed HPE would work with the right mix of systems integrators and partners to deliver IoT solutions.
- Live blog continues. Keep checking back.
Become an SMB Super Hero
Experts on hand include Michael Proper, CEO, ClearCenter; McCleod Glass, VP and GM, SMB Solutions an Tower Solutions; and Blane Raddon, director of worldwide partner development, HPE. (And other folks; I haven't caught their names.)
- Keep an eye on HPE's Flex Solutions for virtualization, SQL Server and other server workloads.
- Most of this session specifically speaks to IT channel partners rather than customers in the room. Rather impressive that HPE is leading with the partner conversation with customers here.
- Raddon described how HPE partners can offer Flex Solutions within a total recurring revenue managed service. Servers are basically on a three-year payment model for the hardware, but the software subscriptions can continue indefinitely and the opportunity to re-up customers with new hardware. Take a close look at the ProLiant EC200a Managed Hybrid Server appliance for details...
- Zynstra is working closely with HPE to ensure MSPs keep their end-customers up to date with the latest software releases.
- HPE's top partner priority is (A) make it easy to sell and (B) make sure it's profitable for the partner. "We have to have the right product at the right price in stock at the distributor ready to go," says Raddon. "In the U.S., we've transformed how we price, and how competitive we are in SMB."
- Check out HPE's Product and Solutions Now tool in the partner portal, which makes sure search and find tasks are easy for partners.
- "All of our business in this space goes through partners, and partners set the price to the end customer," Raddon asserted.
- HPE and Microsoft have just launched an Azure partner opportunity that offers discounts to partners. For every ProLiant server a partner sells, the partner receives cloud discounts to help move customer workloads into Azure. Partners can pocket the discount or pass it on to customers. This is NOT the Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) program... at least not so far. The program is called Azure Attach. Distributors bave details.
- HPE just launched a VM Explorer to compete against Acronis and Veeam in the backup market.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for more coverage...
