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Microsoft-HP Renew Unified Communications Push

Microsoft and HP expanded their existing agreements on unified communications (UC) products and services on Tuesday.

The companies are planning an additional investment of up to $180 million in various UC technologies, including joint marketing, sales and services.

The news was highlighted at the Tuesday keynote address at Interop Las Vegas. Sharing the podium at Interop were Ann Livermore, HP's executive vice president of the Technology Solutions Group, and Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division.

The deal centers on Microsoft's UC solutions, which are based on three server software products: SharePoint, Exchange and Office Communications Server.

For its part, HP offers its HP ProCurve software and hardware networking products, as well as its HP Halo Managed Services. HP's dx9000 TouchSmart Business PC and smartphone hardware also are involved in the joint UC effort.

The companies are providing their UC solutions to enterprise and small-to-medium businesses customers, as well as communications service providers. The UC solutions can be accessed via the customer's premises or as hosted services. Organizations can also use a combination of those two approaches. HP Financial Services will handle the financial arrangements with UC customers.

Further information on the Microsoft and HP joint UC initiative can be found here.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

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