Video of the Week : HP Networking and the 2010 Ryder Cup

Organisers of The 2010 Ryder Cup required a highly reliable wired and wireless networking infrastructure to satisfy the needs of the media, spectators and hospitality users.

“Thanks to HP Networking, we had no downtime, With live golf action, there is no second chance; there is no room for failure. HP helped to make The 2010 Ryder Cup a roaring success.” Graham Gifford, ICT Director for the European Tour and Ryder Cup Europe.



With players regularly shooting birdies and eagles throughout the competition, the highly reliable HP Networking solution rapidly conveyed the latest scores from wireless Access Points, ensuring spectators, the media and hospitality users quickly knew about the latest action.

Photographers and journalists used the network’s Internet connectivity and email capability to despatch images and reports to publishing houses worldwide whilst its open standards technology and Quality of Service (QoS) features allowed the event’s organisers to employ Mitel IP telephony. “By introducing this technology into our scoring network, we have eliminated the human error associated with the old paper-based process.

So when a player scored a birdie, everybody knew about it as it happened, not five minutes afterwards,” adds Gifford. “This clever technology also allows us to define varying levels of connectivity in different areas in a very straightforward way, making life simpler for all.”

Ryder Cup Europe staff also benefited from the solution’s ease of configuration and manageability. “The HP switches are easy to setup and configure and, unlike other vendor solutions, you do not need a degree in rocket science,” comments Gifford. “The management component of the solution is ideal because we could rapidly deploy wireless access to different areas and, if there is a network issue, we can see it and deal with it instantly, all from a single console.”

“For a global event like the Ryder Cup, it is crucial that our networking infrastructure works seamlessly. The HP Networking solution did just that,” concludes Gifford

If you have a networking solution you would like us to help you with then please contact us and we will be than happy to help.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

Video of the Week : HP Flex Fabric Technology

HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric Modules are the simplest, most flexible way to connect virtualized server blades to data or storage networks.

VC FlexFabric modules eliminate up to 95% of network sprawl at the server edge with one device that converges traffic inside enclosures and directly connects to external LANs and SANs.

Using Flex-10 technology with Fibre Channel over Ethernet and accelerated iSCSI, these modules converge traffic over high speed 10Gb connections to servers with HP FlexFabric Adapters (HP NC551i or HP NC551m Dual Port FlexFabric 10Gb Converged Network Adapters or HP NC553i 10Gb 2-port FlexFabric Converged Network Adapter).

Each redundant pair of Virtual Connect FlexFabric modules provide 8 adjustable downlink connections (six Ethernet and two Fibre Channel, or six Ethernet and 2 iSCSI or eight Ethernet) to dual port10Gb FlexFabric Adapters on servers. Up to eight uplinks are available for connection to upstream Ethernet and Fibre Channel switches. VC FlexFabric modules avoid the confusion of traditional and other converged network solutions by eliminating the need for multiple Ethernet and Fibre Channel switches, extension modules, cables and software licenses. Also, Virtual Connect wire-once connection management is built-in enabling server adds, moves and replacement in minutes instead of days or weeks.



If you wish to know more about HP's Flex fabric technology or you wish to discuss your server requirements in more detail then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

HP Servers continue to deliver 1st place results for four-processor and two-processor Linux performance on two-tier SAP® Sales and Distribution

Great 1st place results on the DL580 and DL380 G7 on SAP Linux

The HP DL580 G7 server achieved the 1st place for four-processor Linux performance on the two tier SAP SD standard application benchmark using the Intel Xeon 7500 series processors. Which means the DL580 G7 server beat the previous best four-processor result by 2.19X!!

The HP ProLiant four-processor server scales up with more than 2X the performance compared to the 1st place two-processor Linux result using the HP ProLiant DL380 G7 server.

The ProLiant DL380 G7 achieved on the two-processor Linux result and improved its performance over the previous generation HP ProLiant DL380 G6 by almost 20% SAP SD benchmark users.

The HP ProLiant DL380 G7 also achieved 23% and 11.7% more SAP SD benchmark users than two-processor servers NEC Express5800 Model R120a-2 and Dell PowerEdge R710.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

Westcoast new Product Launch : Aastra Telecom business telephone systems.

Aastra Telecom is a leading manufacturer of business telephone systems in the UK.

Aastra offers one of the most complete portfolios of communications solutions which are individually tailored to satisfy customer’s requirements. Aastra also globally develop and markets open standard IP-based and traditional communication networking products, systems and solutions.

Aastra's products comprise a full range of VoIP solutions including communications servers, gateways, telephone terminals and advanced software applications for small and medium businesses, as well as enterprise markets.

Aastra's Microsoft Lync Compatible Phones
Aastra’s 6725ip and 6721ip IP phones for Microsoft Lync, are the latest additions to the award winning line of IP phones.

First of all what is Microsoft Lync?
Microsoft Lync is a unifed communications software which delivers streamlined communications for the users in your business. Work across different locations and time zones using a variety of communication methods such as instant messaging, conferencing, and enterprise voice. Microsoft unified communications can also help organisations reduce the operating costs of travel, telecom and IT, while allowing them to improve their business outcomes in a sustainable way.

For more information on Microsoft Lync Please click here to go to Microsoft's website or speak to our Software team

Aastra 6725ip
The 6725ip is a true IP phone that can operate as a standalone Microsoft Lync endpoint. When connected to a Microsoft Lync 2010 equipped desktop, it provides a synchronized integration with the desktop client enabling enhanced functionality, including click-to-dial and desktop control of calling features such as transfer, hold, call park and conferencing. The 6725ip features both a full color 3.5” LCD screen and a separate Unified Communications (UC) presence icon providing direct access to features and presence indications in Lync. Exceptional voice quality is provided through the use of Microsoft audio codecs in both the handset and hands-free modes.

Aastra 6721ip
The 6721ip is unique to the Aastra Lync model line, and provides a lower cost option for users who still require the benefits of a true IP phone, including dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and message waiting light indicator – but do not require the full UC desktop integration capabilities of the 6725ip. The 6721ip is an ideal selection for Hot-desking applications and common areas, such as lobbies and meeting rooms.

So what are the benefits of the 6725 and 6721?

“Always on” Operation - It is no longer necessary to have a phone connected to an operating PC to enjoy the benefits of Lync. Both models of Aastra’s Microsoft Lync phones are true stand-alone IP phones and have the Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition embedded in the phone. The 6725ip has the additional advantage of being able to be connected to a local desktop PC via a USB cable, enabling desktop PC phone control, multi-media call escalation and synchronized PC and phone locking.

Intuitive Interface - An ergonomic and user friendly hard key layout, used in conjunction with selectable soft keys, a large 2-way navigation key and a 3.5” LCD display screen, provide an efficient and intuitive interface.

Simplified Deployments - Both models are designed to save your business time and money. Dual autosensing switched Gigabit Ethernet ports eliminate additional wiring and simplify installations without compromising the bandwidth required by “power users”. Integrated IEEE 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet allows easy deployment with centralized powering and backup.

Aastra's range of SIP phones
All of the SIP phones are fully compatible with Leading IP telephony systems, features XML embedded browser capability, full duplex speaker phone, Extensive storage for directories and Hi-Q wide band audio technology.

6730i SIP Phone
Exceptional Value for an Entry level phone
3 Line LCD Display
Supports up to 6 lines with call appearances

6731i SIP Phone
Dual autosensing switched Ethernet ports
3 Line LCD Display
Integrated POE standard (802.3af)

6739i SIP Phone
5.7" full colour high resolution VGA touch screen display
Built in Bluetooth and USB port
Multiple headset connections
Support for up to 9 Lines with call appearances

6753i SIP Phone
Elegant Design
3 Line LCD Display
Supports up to 9 calls simultaneously

6755i SIP Phone
144 x 75 Pixel backlit LCD display
6 dynamic context-sensitive soft keys
Supports up to three Aastra 536m modules each with 36keys and LED indicators to create a feature rich attendant console

6757i SIP Phone
Suited for heavy use
Supports up to three of the Advanced Aastra 560m modules each with 60keys with a screen based LCD display and LED system

610d SIP DECT Phone
Basic model suited for the business environment
Monochrome display
Telephone book for up to 200 contacts
Noise filter
Hands free operation
5 user profiles

620d SIP DECT Phone
High end mobile phone for the professional
Colour Screen
Mini USB interface
Headset connector
3 Programmable side keys
Bluetooth Support

630d SIP DECT Phone
For tough working environments
Complies with Industrial standard IP65
Capable of withstanding 2m falls onto concrete
Integrated "Man down" alarm
Additional Emergency call key

If you need any more information on these or other Aastra products then please do not hesitate to contact us

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

Save Time and Money by using the HP Bladesystem Matrix

HP are the first manufacture to offer the industry’s first converged infrastructure solution which delivers the major benefits of shared services. This solution is called the HP BladeSystem Matrix. This new solution allows you to provision complex infrastructure and applications in minutes rather than months and cuts the total cost of ownership up to 56%!! versus traditional infrastructure.

The HP BladeSystem Matrix is designed to decrease the complexity associated with the deployment of applications and services. The HP BladeSystem Matrix optimizes IT capacity across physical and virtual environments and ensures predictable delivery and service levels. It includes an integrated service designer, self-service portal, auto-provisioning capabilities, and all the tools to manage and optimize the resources pools as well as a recovery management solution.

HP BladeSystem Matrix is a pre-integrated hardware, software and services solution which is built on the industry proven HP BladeSystem, and associated technologies such as Virtual Connect, Insight management software, ProLiant and Integrity blade servers and HP's fibre channel SAN's.

To see how much of a ROI you can achieve please go to the HP BladeSystem Matrix ROI Calculator

So how do i go about Ordering a HP BladeSystem Matrix??

The method for purchasing HP BladeSystem Matrix is simple.
You need to start by ordering a HP BladeSystem Matrix Starter Kit (please contact us for details) which contains the infrastructure needed for a fully-working environment supporting up to 16 HP ProLiant half-height server blades (or 8 Integrity blades)

If you need to increase the size of your Matrix you will simply have to add Expansion Kits.
The central management server host implemented in the Starter Kit simply extends its domain to manage additional infrastructure that might be added by adding Expansion Kits.

If you would like to know more information on the HP BladeSystem Matrix then please contact us and we will be more than happy to help you.


Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

New Microsoft Event - Demystifying and Opening the Public Sector Opportunity

If you are currently selling into the private sector through OPEN licensing then we will take you through how easy it is to approach the public sector, how best to engage and how you can utilize the existing knowledge within your business to become “business as usual”.

These events will bust the myths of the Public Sector and prove to you that you can make money and show you how to remove the barriers to entry often associated with the Public Sector. These latest readiness & sales training sessions aimed at targeting the Public Sector that can help you to:

• Reach and Engage local public sector organisations as a local business
• How Microsoft can support you by removing the barrier to entry for AERs and improvements to licensing programmes
• Compete & make money from the Public Sector
• Leverage resources and tools from Microsoft to help engage this market
• Transition from selling OPEN licensing from the private into the public sector.

Agenda
9:00 – 09:30 - Registration and Coffee
9.30 – 10.15 - Welcome

• The Public Sector opportunity

1. How can you make the most of the opportunity?
2. How can reach and engage Public Sector organisations?
3. How can partners engage with Public Sector organisations?
4. What is the low-hanging fruit you can easily pick?

10:15 – 10:40 - Understanding Open Licensing for Government and the eligible organisations?
10:40 – 11:00 - Coffee & Opportunity to visit pods
11:00 – 12:00 - Utilising the advantages of EES-OVS licensing: Changes from CASA – what does it mean to you
12:00 – 12:15 - How can you maximize the opportunity
12:15 – 12:30 - Question and Answers

To register for these events, then please click on the following venues
(You will be redirected to Microsoft's website)

• 1st February 2011 – Microsoft HQ, Thames Valley Park, Reading
• 3rd February 2011 – Regus Building, Manchester
• 1st March 2011 – Microsoft Offices, Edinburgh
• 18th March 2011 – Microsoft Offices, Cardinal Place, London

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

January ISS NEW Product Releases !!

There have been a number of New releases this month.
All products are now quotable and orderable, however, as with any new product, please allow 4-6 weeks for initial deliveries as production ramps.

HP NC553m 10Gb 2-Port FlexFabric Converged Network Adapter (Blade servers)
For customers demanding high-performance network and storage connectivity for increased virtualization and application workloads while trying to reduce cost and complexity.

• Integrated SERDES for backplane (Additional Cost and Power Savings)
• Improved small packet performance
• DDR3 (128MB) external memory supported
• Integrated PHY

HP NC523SFP 10Gb 2-port Server Adapter
Improves business results by delivering the utmost in networking bandwidth to ProLiant servers

• Latest 10GbE networking ASIC from QLogic, the P3+ silicon (cLOM8214)
• SRIOV (Single Root Input Output Virtualization) support in OS environments supporting SRIOV
• Enhanced performance and reduced power requirement compared with the previous generation product (HP NC522SFP)

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6

• Increased scalability for larger systems with more CPU sockets and cores, more memory, and larger file systems on HP ProLiant servers.
• Solid focus on Reliability, Availability, Scalability (RAS) existing and emerging features in HP ProLiant servers.
• New packaging and pricing of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux product portfolio allowing for greater choice and flexibility.
• Reduced system power consumption, integration into HP ProLiant Dynamic Power Capping and features that better withstand hardware failures.
• Better system efficiency, serviceability, and resource management leading to higher performance and reduced operating costs.
• Streamlined and simplified HP RHEL subscription purchase, registration, and tracking process

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (x86)

• Free! SLES High Availability Extension through June 30, 2011
• New part numbers (SKUs) based on HP’s unified infrastructure (entitlement + registration) compliant process.
• Single step to register both the Novell subscription and HP Support.
• Receive one entitlement certificate for all subscriptions on the order (N:1).
• Register multiple subscriptions in a single transaction.
• Novell entitlements available immediately upon registration/renewal.

And Finally... A New 32GB Low voltage Dimm (Dual Rank x4 PC3L-10600 Registered CAS-9) has been released for increased Memory capacity and power savings across the BL460, DL360 & 380 servers.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

Reminder - Start your Microsoft Journey with Westcoast

MLSS Including Academic - 23rd January 2011 London - Click to register

MLSS including Academic
The morning of this event is focused on improving your understanding of Microsoft Licensing and will allow you to sit your MLSS exam and become accredited as a Microsoft Licensing Sales Specialist. Achieving this accreditation will ensure customers see you as a trusted Microsoft advisor, and will help boost your bottom line.

In the afternoon there is the NEW Academic session where you will learn about Academic licensing and the selling opportunities it presents.

If you have any questions please contact us.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

NEW FEATURE : HP Video of the Week

New to the Blog we will be uploading a HP video of the week - Enjoy



For more information on HP networking please visit our HP Networking Microsite

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

January 2011 Networking Reseller Times

NEW – 10% off wired and wireless connectivity for SMB’s – V Series savings
For a limited time only, HP Networking is offering 10% discount on select wired and wireless products in the HP V Series. Whether you need a highly cost-effective unmanaged solution or a more robust infrastructure, pick the solution that’s right for you. Click here for more information
Offer valid 1st Jan – 28th Feb 2011

NEW – Price drop on selected E Series Switches
HP Networking is pleased to announce price moves on selected switch models of the HP E2510/2520/2615/2915 series. Changes are effective January 1, 2011 and will be shown in the January price list. Please contact your account manager for more information.
Click here for more information
Valid from 1st Jan 2011

EXTENDED - Double Points on HP Accelerate
In January, HP Networking is offering double points on all HPN products on HP Accelerate, HP’s rewards programme for resellers.

So what are you waiting for, get selling and get claiming! If you are already registered on Accelerate, just continue to log into your account and claim for sales as usual. If you are new to Accelerate, please go to www.hp-accelerate.com to register.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

January 2011 HP Server and Storage offers

In order for you to have your own copy of this months offers, We can now offer them in a easy downloadable PDF for you.



Please click the image above to open the PDF.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team

Update on Windows Small Business Server 2011

As you have heard Microsoft officially announced the launch of the next version of Windows Small Business Server. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you with the launch of Windows Small Business Server 2011 and Windows Small Business Server Essentials.

Milestones and Dates
Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard edition and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-On were released to manufacture on 12 December 2010. Corp are making the final steps to bring the product to the market so that our customers can acquire throughout our large network of partners. We are currently finalising international versions, delivering the product to distribution channels and supplying it to our OEM partners so that they can begin pre-installing the software on new servers.

Starting in early January, customers will find SBS 2011 Standard and Premium Add-On in Volume Licensing, and from mid-January customers will be able to download a trial copy from our website. Finally, the products will be available in TechNet and MSDN before the end of the December.

General availability and our launch activities for SBS 2011 Standard are scheduled for mid-March when we also expect to be closer to RTM of Windows SBS 2011 Essentials (Aurora).

Product & SKU overview
Designed and priced for small businesses, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Standard provides an affordable and easy-to-use solution to help secure and protect customers’ business data, manage and share their documents, and support the applications they need to run and grow their business. With SBS 2011, customers can organize and access their business documents from virtually anywhere, with centralized storage and remote access, while easily connecting to the cloud-based applications they need to make your business more productive.

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials
Windows Small Business Server, 2011 Essentials is the ideal first server for small businesses with up to 25 users who want an easy-to-use solution to protect, organize, and access and share business data from virtually anywhere and easily connect to the cloud.

Key Benefits
• Daily automatic backups of clients and servers
• Organize and access files from virtually anywhere
• Easily connects to online services for e-mail, collaboration and line-of-business applications

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard
Windows Small Business Server, 2011 Standard is the ideal on-premise solution for small businesses with up to 75 users. SBS 2011 Standard delivers enterprise-class technology in an affordable, high performance all-in-one solution designed to meet the needs of small business customers at various stages of growth..

Key Benefits
• Enterprise quality functionality and productivity capabilities (Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010, SharePoint 2010)
• Affordable and easy to deploy, use, and maintain
• Complete, network-wide security and backup with integrated state of the art data protection and recovery technologies.

Regards

Technical ISS Solutions Team