HP unveils cost-conscious deals for small firms

HP is targeting small firms with printers, support services and special offers

HP has unveiled a range of new software, products and services designed to help small businesses save money.

The new offerings come under the HP Total Care banner, and include printers, remote support services and a number of special offers and money saving initiatives.

HP said that the three new printers offer high-quality laser output at low cost, supported by a range of economically priced print cartridges. The printers are expected to be available by the end of this month.

The HP Officejet Pro 8500 All-in-One series is a premier inkjet all-in-one, featuring color document quality at laser-comparable speeds; for smaller customers, the HP Officejet Pro 8000 Printer series offers embedded wired and wireless networking, fast speeds and automatic two-sided printing; and finally the HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One series includes wireless support and automatic two-sided printing.

The 8500 models costs from $299 (£212); the 8000 and 6500 series both cost from $149 (£105).

New services include HP Insight Remote Support, which is designed to save money and time by providing simple, round-the-clock technical assistance. The software provides a direct link between businesses and their solutions providers, HP explained, and can help to avoid a range of disasters without the need for human intervention.

The Total Care Business Solutions package, meanwhile, allows for flexible financing and discount pricing on items such as the firm's ProLiant and BladeSystem servers, StorageWorks and ProCurve networking kit.

Discounts of up to 47 per cent are available for customers in the US, Europe and the Middle East on selected servers and storage bundles, while ProLiant and BladeSystem servers can be financed at zero per cent options on a 30-month lease plan.

"HP is making it easier for customers to purchase technology to remain competitive and emerge stronger," said Duncan Campbell, vice president of adaptive infrastructure and small and midmarket business at HP. "These new solutions build on HP's commitment to prioritise the top priorities of cost-conscious small to medium sized businesses, i.e. management, protection and business growth."

HP has also marked its 25th anniversary of laser printers today with the announcement that it has shipped some 132 million products across the world.

"HP LaserJet printers have become an integral part of companies' IT infrastructures, as vital as the PC or telephone," said Tatiana Fish, marketing manager for LaserJet and enterprise solutions at HP's EMEA Imaging & Printing group.

"Today's products include additional features such as security, access control and wireless access, and document and device management."