HP Delivers 24x7 Worldwide Support for Linux Systems and Applications

Support Includes Two-hour Response-time Commitment on Multivendor Platforms

Palo Alto, California. April 20, 1999

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced the availability of HP Linux support services, which provide customers with around-the-clock, worldwide support of Linux and HP Linux applications. HP's new support services include a maximum two-hour response-time commitment, and immediate response for critical calls, on multivendor Intel-based platforms. HP is mobilizing on all fronts to meet the anticipated strong demand for Linux systems, software and services.

"Customers within many markets, such as communications and e-commerce, depend on Linux to host business applications," said Mike Rigodanzo, general manager of HP's Software Services Division. "The major challenge for Linux in terms of mainstream acceptance is that enterprises want to deal with technologies from suppliers they can depend on for predictable levels of service and support. That's where HP comes in -- we're providing complete support, including 24x7, phone-in and electronic support worldwide for Linux."

HP Linux support services are provided to HP's business partners and customers via HP's Electronic Support Center and HP Response Centers. This support model provides customers the flexibility of the following support-service features:

• unlimited, toll-free, phone-in software assistance with two-hour response-time commitment and immediate response for critical calls;
• electronic software call submittal with a choice of response time frames;
• remote software support by highly trained HP support engineers;
• 24x7 electronic access, via HP's Electronic Support Center, to a database of current product and support information from a variety of vendors; and
• Linux training for system administrators, such as Linux Installation Configuration and Administration class, available in HP's Education Centers worldwide or at customer sites.

HP's offering will support major Linux releases from companies such as Red Hat Software, Caldera Systems, Pacific HiTech and SuSE Holding AG, running on servers from HP and other vendors. HP has extended its support to HP applications that run on Linux, such as HP Firehunter. HP support also will be extended to cover future platforms based on the IA-64 architecture, additional HP and third-party Linux applications, Apache Web Server, and HP outsourcing services for Linux environments.

"SAP's initiative to deliver the leading enterprise application SAP R/3 on Linux has been well received by our customers," said Thomas Klein, director, corporate alliance at SAP AG. "HP's full support program for Linux ensures that our customers who select HP servers enjoy enterprise-level support and reliability for R/3 on Linux."

According to IDC Research, Linux is the fastest-growing server operating environment. In 1998, some 690,000 Linux operating environments were shipped, reflecting a 190 percent growth rate and 17 percent of all new server operating environments. HP is a sponsoring corporate member of Linux International, a non-profit organization consisting of industry influencers dedicated to the continuous open-source development of Linux.

More information about today's announcement can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/go/support.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services. HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

HP plans to launch a new and independent measurement company consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, components, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on high-growth opportunities such as communications and life sciences.

HP has 122,800 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

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