Hewlett-Packard Co. on Monday will push standardization as a key part of its Adaptive Enterprise initiative, backing it up with new server offerings that move the company a step closer to its plan to standardize its high-end systems on Intel Corp.'s 64-bit Itanium chip.

The Palo Alto, Calif., company is undergoing a multiyear project that will consolidate its multiple server lines—including those acquired via its purchase of Compaq Computer Corp. in 2002—to three, including the Integrity and NonStop systems running on Itanium.

New server offerings bring that ideal closer to reality.

In addition, HP officials are touting the benefits of reusable components and consistent implementation of technology.

"The ability of IT to support changes that business demands is the key to the Adaptive Enterprise strategy," said Don Jenkins, vice president of marketing for HP's Business Critical Systems unit. Standardization—using industry-standard technology, for example—is fueling that initiative.

HP is rounding out its Itanium-based Integrity offerings with the unveiling this week of two dual-processor entry-level offerings—the 1U (1.75-inch) rx1600 and 2U (3.5-inch) rx2600, both powered by 1.4GHz Low Voltage Itanium 2 processors and both starting at less than $3,000.

"It brings Itanium systems really into the price range of [Intel's 32-bit chip] Xeon and [Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s 64-bit] Opteron," Jenkins said.

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