HP And Google Apps Partner To Offer ‘IT In A Box’ For SMBs

Tech giants Google and HP will work together to push Google Apps for Business alongside HP hardware. The deal will focus on small businesses and offer them a “one-stop shop” for office productivity.

In effect HP will become a Google Apps reseller and will package management tools with its PCs, printers and other IT equipment. HP will also add some of its management software into that stack.

Two’s a cloud

HP claimed its SMB IT in a Box would “simplify customers’ IT environments and help reduce their operating costs and infrastructure requirements while improving their workflows and workforce productivity”.

The deal sees HP get closer to Google. It already offers a number of products based on Google’s Android and Chrome operating systems including the HP SlateBook x2 and Slate7, and the Pavilion Chromebook. HP also unveiled a number of storage systems and servers for SMBs at its annual HP Discover shindig in Las Vegas, including the HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen 8, costing the same as a tablet, and two “cost-optimised” servers.

“HP recognises the constantly evolving needs of SMB customers in today’s dynamic business environment,” said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager for HP Consumer PCs and Solutions. “Together with HP’s channel partners, we will offer our customers an incredible bundle of PCs, printers and Google Apps for Business, enabling business owners to focus on their customers instead of worrying about IT.”

SMB IT in a Box combines HP’s PCs, printers, management console, administration and customer support with the productivity, collaboration tools and security of Google Apps.

“By moving to the cloud and helping employees work the way they live, SMBs can serve their customers better – and save money in the process,” said Amit Singh, president of Google Enterprise.

HP SMB IT in a Box will be offered through HP’s network of resellers. The initial offering is expected to be available to select resellers in the United States in July followed by broader availability worldwide by the end of the year.