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Hewlett-Packard Enterprise
Unified Communication and Collaboration
Copyright 2020, Faulkner Information Services. All
Rights Reserved.
Docid: 00011089
Publication Date: 2001
Report Type: PRODUCT
Preview
The Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) Unified Communications and
Collaboration (UC&C) portfolio is a collection of hardware, software,
and services for integrating voice, data, presence, video collaboration,
Web collaboration, and IM (instant messaging) among other features. The
portfolio is based in large part on the networking technology HP acquired
when it bought 3Com in 2010 and now includes wireless technology from
Aruba Networks, which HP acquired in May 2015. In September 2017, Micro
Focus merged with HPE’s Software Business Segment, further strengthening
HP’s market position. The UC&C portfolio is based on the HP Converged
Infrastructure strategy that focuses on a service-oriented approach to
business. This report looks at HPE’s UC&C offerings in greater detail.
Report Contents:
- Description
- Related Faulkner Reports
- Vendor
- Applications
- Environment
- Support
- Pricing
- Competitors
- Web Links
Description
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Hewlett-Packard (HP)’s Unified Communications and Collaboration
(UC&C) portfolio is an integrated communications platform that
includes hardware, software, and services for connecting corporate teams.
It includes a number of offerings in several areas, including HPE Flex
solutions, mobile user connectivity, and data storage.
| Related Faulkner Reports |
| Hewlett-Packard Company Profile |
The portfolio is based on HP’s $2.7 billion USD purchase of 3Com in 2010.
As part of this merger, HP integrated 3Com’s network switching, routing,
and security products with its own ProCurve solutions. This helped bolster
HP’s Converged Infrastructure strategy, which is built on the idea of
integrating servers, storage, networking, management, facilities, and
services. It is also now integrating wireless technology that it acquired
from Aruba Networks in 2015.
| Vendor |
|
Name: Hewlett-Packard |
HP UC&C combines IT infrastructure, voice, messaging, data, presence,
and video within a virtual workspace. The platform integrates features
such as telephony, audio conferencing, e-mail and voice messaging, Web
collaboration, video collaboration, and other communications. It also
offers security and administration tools for protecting corporate data. HP
can architect, design, and implement UC&C either on-site, in the
cloud, or using a hybrid model, and also offer fully managed services.
HP’s UC&C network hardware, software, and services were designed to
deliver an optimum network for managing and securing data and voice, wired
and wireless, and core to edge, from deployment and health monitoring
through to migration and phase out.
HP MSR Survivable Branch Communication Module (SBM)
The HP MSR SBM allows for real time communications, even when the WAN is
unavailable. It is a survivable branch application with software to ensure
instant messaging, voice, video, and desktop sharing. It provides toll
bypass and least cost routing over the public switched telephone network
(PSTN). It is offered in a small MIM module, medium MIM module, and large
FIC module:
- MSR Small Survivable Branch MIM Module–Powered by
Microsoft Lync, offering a survivable branch application with software
from HP to ensure instant messaging, voice, video, and desktop sharing.
It provides toll bypass and least cost routing over the public switched
telephone network (PSTN). - MSR Medium Survivable Branch MIM Module–Powered by
Microsoft Lync, providing Microsoft Unified Communication Open
Interoperability Program certified gateways. It offers compact form
factors providing branch router solutions using HP MSR30 Series Routers. - MSR Large Survivable Branch Communication FIC Module–Powered
by
Microsoft
Lync, offering Lync OIP Certified media Gateway, a rich set of UC&C
features, and flexible FIC form factors.
UC&C Hardware
HP’s UC&C-related hardware includes the Services zl Module series
Solutions, IP phones, and VoIP gateways. Table 1 expands on each of these
families.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Services zl Module series Solutions |
|
| HP Survivable Branch Communication zl Module (SBM) powered by Microsoft Lync |
SBM combines the Microsoft Lync survivable branch application and HP software to provide survivable branch services while maintaining internal peer-to-peer communications when the data center cannot be reached. Components of the offering include public switched telephone network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway, a graphical user interface (GUI), management interfaces, and an application programming interface (API) to the switch. It fits in the chassis of the HP E8200 zl and E5400 zl Switch series. |
| The HP AllianceOne Services zl Module for Avaya Aura Session Border Controller (SBC) |
SBC allows for real-time interactive communications and establishes a demarcation point to sustain a broader service reach. It is designed to let Unified Communications and Contact Center Solutions leverage Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) while extending the power of the Avaya Aura architecture in the network. It secures voice, video, presence, and instant messaging (IM) by defending SIP signaling elements against security threats and overloads. It also supports regulatory compliance. |
| HP MSR Survivable Branch communication module (SBM) |
The MSR SBM enables real time communications even when the WAN is unavailable. The HP MSR Small Survivable Branch (SSB) MIM module, HP MSR Medium Survivable Branch Communication MIM Module, and HP MSR Large Survivable Branch Communication FIC Module integrate a Microsoft Lync survivable branch application with HP software. They provide instant messaging, voice, video, and desktop sharing. |
| The HP Advanced Services zl Module with Citrix XenServer |
This product allows for the hosting of one or multiple applications within the networking infrastructure. It consists of a processor, storage, network interfaces, and memory that are connected with a network switch ASIC on a platform that hosts a virtualized environment. It is installed into an HP 5400 zl or 8200 zl series switch. Virtualization management tools allow for the applications and services to be managed remotely. |
| HPE Flex Solutions | Designed for small and medium-sized businesses that need to have equipment up and running efficiently. Solutions include collaborations servers, data processing servers, virtualization servers, and office servers. |
| HP Advanced Services zl Module with VMware vSphere |
This open architecture platform allows for the hosting of one or multiple applications within the networking infrastructure. It contains a processor, storage, network interfaces, and memory interconnected with a network switch ASIC on a single platform that hosts a virtualized environment. It is installed into a HP 5400zl or8200zl series switch. Virtualization management tools, applications, and services can be managed remotely. |
| IP Phones | |
| 4120 | Microsoft Lync-optimized desktop phone that lets users enter a PIN number to access voicemail, personal contacts, and other customized user profile settings. It supports Microsoft Office 365 combined with cloud-based versions of Microsoft’s communications and collaboration services. |
| 4110 | Lync-optimized common-area phone that provides PoE (Power over Ethernet) connectivity. Users enter a PIN number to access voicemail, personal contacts, and other customized user profile settings. |
| VoIP Gateways | |
| MSR20 Series | Routers delivering convergence of routing, switching, voice, security, embedded encryption, and a firewall. |
| MSR30 Series | Routers with multi-core and distributed architecture with distributed processing, aggregating capability, embedded hardware encryption, and redundant, hot-swappable hardware. |
Network Management
HP’s UC&C network management offerings include the Intelligent
Management Center Software Platform, which is offered in Standard and
Enterprise editions. The platform is a wired and wireless network
management tool supporting the FCAPS model, providing IT business
management, and system architecture. It allows for the addition of
optional modules to extend capabilities, and supports the management of HP
and third-party devices. It is offered with an initial license for 50
managed devices with available additional node licenses. Intelligent
Management Center Enterprise Software Platform includes both eAPI library
and five nodes of IMC Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA) Software.
Lync-Qualified Products
Lync-qualified wireless products include:
- MSM Controller Series – Works in unison with HP MSM
access points. Its architecture scales to the IEEE 802.11ac without
requiring controller replacement. The MSM Controller Series includes the
MSM760, MSM765zl and the MSM720. - HP 425 802.11n Dual Radio Access Point Series – A
dual radio IEEE 802.11n indoor access point that has both embedded
antennas and optional external antennas. It provides two spatial stream
access and up to 300 Mbps of throughput per radio. It is designed for
voice and multi-media communications and offers embedded high gain and
optional external antennas. - MSM-802.11n Dual Radio Access Point Series – Provides
scalable, secure, WI-FI access points either autonomously or centrally
controlled by MSM Controllers. It offers built-in Spectral Analysis and
integrated Wireless IDS/IPS for detection, classification, and
intelligent avoidance of non-802.11 interference and comprehensive
threat protection. - MSM-802.11n Dual Radio Indoor/Outdoor Access Point Series
– Provides 450Mb/s per radio technology to outdoor environments for
outdoor coverage, point to point, and point to multipoint applications
either autonomously or centrally controlled by MSM Controllers.
Lync-Qualified Wired products include:
- 2620 Switch Series – An offering for customers who
are building converged enterprise edge networks. - HP 3500 and 3500 yl Switch Series – Consists of Layer
2/3/4 switches that offer intelligent edge capability in a fixed port
form factor. - 8200 zl Switch Series – A high performance,
full-featured modular switch designed to offer reduced complexity as
part of a Unified Wired and Wireless Network infrastructure. - 2910 al Switch Series – A scalable offering for
building high-performance networks. They can be deployed at enterprise
edge and remote branch offices, converged networks, and data center top
of rack. - 5400 zl Switch Series – Consists of Layer 2/3/4
switches that support integrated advanced capabilities in chassis
(6-slot and 12-slot) form factor. It offers maximum flexibility, life
time warranty, and lowered TCO.
UC&C Voice Applications
As part of its UC&C lineup, HP offers software options such as:
- VCX Desktop Communicator Software Series – Deliver
portals to interpersonal communications functions such as VCX IP
telephony, audio and video conferencing, e-mail, presence, and IM. The
tool includes interaction with Microsoft Outlook, multiple SIP-based
clients chatting, conferencing capabilities, and the use of local
presence. - VCX V7000 IP Conferencing Series – Scalable,
in-house conferencing system. The software provides host and participant
Web-based conference controls, peer-to-peer and one-to-many conferences,
and redundant server options for high availability.
Table 2 lists some of the UC&C service capabilities HP offers.
| UC&C Service | Description |
|---|---|
| UC&C Voice Transformation Solutions | Provides scalable, enterprise-class telephony with an option for incrementally adding telephony features in a phased, custom-designed approach. Users can also deploy the complete range of UC&C technology. |
| UC&C Virtual Workplace Solutions | Services for helping secure intellectual property, improve decision making, and response time by integrating data, voice, video, and Web collaboration tools with presence and messaging, in one communications platform. |
| UC&C Communications Enabled Solutions |
Add critical workflows and business applications into the enterprise collaboration platform. This is useful in extending UC&C coverage to industry-specific business processes. |
HP also offers Business Value Analysis services, useful for consideration
while developing a UC&C deployment or upgrade strategy:
- Transformation Experience Workshop – For defining an
aligned vision for unified communications. - Business Benefits Workshop – Shows a link between IT
investments and the business benefits they offer. - Strategic Architecture Services – Defines a roadmap
and plan for realizing a UC&C vision.
Applications
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Application and scalability considerations for HPE’s UC&C products
are listed in Table 3.
| Product | Applications |
|---|---|
| HPE Survivable Branch Communication zl Module (SBM) powered by Microsoft Lync |
Small businesses to large enterprises |
| The HPE AllianceOne Services zl Module for Avaya Aura Session Border Controller (SBC) |
Small businesses to large enterprises |
| HPE MSR Survivable Branch communication module (SBM) |
Small businesses to large enterprises |
| HPE Advanced Services zl Module with Citrix XenServer |
Small businesses to large enterprises |
| HPE Advanced Services zl Module with VMware vSphere |
Small businesses to large enterprises |
| HPE ProLiant Tower ML Servers | SMB-sized businesses |
| HPE ProLiant DL Rack Servers | SMB-sized businesses |
| HPE ProLiant Easy Connect | Home and small businesses |
| HPE ProLiant Easy Connect Cloud | Cloud or hybrid infrastructures |
| 4120 | Small businesses to large enterprises |
| 4110 | Small businesses to large enterprises |
| MSR20 Series | Small branch offices, SMB-sized businesses |
| MSR30 Series | Small branch offices, SMB-sized businesses |
Environment
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The products and services that make up HPE’s UC&C portfolio have
different operating requirements and considerations. HP asks that
interested, potential customers contact its sales staff regarding platform
support and other deployment issues.
Support
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HP offers a variety of support options for its offerings, including
support online or via telephone. A support lookup tool is also available
via the HP site.
Pricing
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Due to the configurable nature of its products, HP does not publish
detailed pricing information on its platforms. Interested customers should
contact the company directly for price-related information.
Competitors
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HP’s UC&C portfolio competes with Cisco’s UC&C products, Micro
Focus GroupWise (formerly Novell), and other competitive offerings from
IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, Unify (formerly Siemens
Enterprise Communication), Callware, Mitel, and Polycom. In September
2017, Micro Focus merged with HPE’s Software Business Segment in a
transaction valued at approximately $8.8 billion USD. This is helping
boost the strength of HP’s presence in the unified communications market.
Web Links
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- Alcatel-Lucent: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/
- Avaya: http://www.avaya.com/
- Callware: http://www.callware.com/
- Cisco Systems: http://www.cisco.com/
- Hewlett-Packard: http://www.hp.com/
- IBM: http://www.ibm.com/
- Micro Focus: http://www.microfocus.com/
- Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/
- Mitel Networks: http://www.mitel.com/
- Oracle: http://www.oracle.com/
- Polycom: http://www.polycom.com/
- Unify: http://www.unify.com/
About the Author
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Sherry Kercher is an editor for Faulkner Information
Services. She holds a master’s degree in library and information science,
and tracks and writes about storage, communication networks and equipment,
and Internet technologies.
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