HP commits $1bn to cloud business

Vendor launches Helion portfolio of cloud products and services

HP is to invest more than $1bn (£589m) in its cloud business over the next two years after launching a big portfolio of open-source hybrid cloud wares.

The vendor giant today unveiled its Helion range of OpenStack-based cloud products and services, including a platform-as-a-service offering set to launch as a preview version later this year. Available now is the HP Helion OpenStack Community offering, a free tool which the vendor claims is "ideal for proofs of concept, pilots, and basic production workloads". A paid-for commercial version will be announced in the coming months.

Also part of the Helion suite is a range of professional services, which will be delivered by HP consultants, engineers and "cloud technologists". The services are designed to "assist customers with [their] cloud planning, implementation, and operational needs".

Using HP's 80 datacentres in 27 countries, the Helion portfolio will be sold direct and through the vendor's squadron of about 110 service providers. Services will also be made available for resale to partners holding the HP PartnerOne for Cloud accreditation.

The vendor today pledged to invest more than $1bn during the next two years on strengthening its range of cloud products and services and its engineering clout, as well as extending the geographic reach of the Helion portfolio.

Martin Fink, HP chief technology officer, said: "Customer challenges today extend beyond cloud. They include how to manage, control and scale applications in a hybrid environment that spans multiple technology approaches. HP Helion provides the solutions and expertise customers need to select the right deployment model for their needs and obtain the greatest return for their investment."