COMPUTER INDUSTRY GIANTS TEAM UP
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft Corp. announced this week that they are teaming up to help companies reduce the cost of operating computer networks. The companies have agreed to offer products and services for addressing total cost ownership, Microsoft Windows NT Server-based enterprise solutions and solutions for heterogeneous environments. One of the key elements in the companies' strategy is the launch of HP's Net Vectra PC series - a family of computer terminals designed to operate without individual hard drives. In place of the hard drives, the computers will download programs from either a central server or the Internet. HP plans to begin shipping the NetPC in the second half of this year. HP will also be introducing smart-card authentication technology as part of the NetPC system. The keyboard-based device allows users to log on to an internal network at any PC equipped with a smart-card device. HP believes the smart-card system will increase user productivity and lower costs, because it will allow a PC with an absent user to be put into use. Advertising for Mississauga-based Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd. is handled by Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising of Toronto, while Benchmark Communications Inc., also of Toronto, handles the company's PR. The Communique Group of Toronto creates Microsoft Canada Inc.'s ads, while Media Buying Services of Toronto executes the buys. Hill & Knowlton of Toronto handles Microsoft Canada's PR.