March 29, 1999, Issue: 835
Section: News
Compaq Charts New Distribution Course -- NeoServer will
push networking
Elliot Markowitz
New York-A new class of servers aimed exclusively at the small- and
midsize-business market will be unveiled this week by Compaq Computer
Corp.
The company's new Prosignia NeoServer line initially will consist of two
low-priced sealed servers that cannot be upgraded or reconfigured, company
executives said. The two servers, one designed for basic file and print sharing,
and the other capable of providing Internet access, are designed to provide
networking capability to small businesses that previously have not had a
network.
As part of Monday's announcement in Houston, Compaq Chief Executive
Eckhard Pfeiffer also will introduce a new line of Prosignia notebooks for this
market based on Advanced Micro Devices Inc. processors.
Priced at $1,399 for the basic NeoServer and $1,699 for the Internet model,
both will offer a suite of software specifically targeted at small businesses
looking to network up to 25 users, said Lisa Baker, director of product
marketing for the Commercial Business Unit at Compaq, Houston. The
NeoServer will provide basic functionality, including file and print sharing, and
will come with a 6-Gbyte hard drive, 8-Gbyte backup drive, remote access,
Internet access and E-mail, she said.
"We are establishing a new class of server," Baker said. "This will get people
networked who aren't networked." The NeoServer will be sold through its
Customer Choice plan, which includes its Partner-Direct and DirectPlus
programs.
"We will be able to sell the product to people who we have never been able
to reach before," said Joel Pelinger, president of Corim International Inc.,
New York.
Because the systems are basically nonserviceable, VARs will be able to sell a
onetime installation CarePAQ, Baker said. Through the CarePAQ service,
VARs can install the machines on site for $299 and set up one client. It will
cost an additional $125 per client to set up, or VARs can sell a five-client
installation for $525, she said.
The new Prosignia 150 Series notebooks start at $1,799 and consist of two
models based on AMD's 350MHz and 380MHz K6 processors, she said.
"This is very aggressive price/performance," Baker said.
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