HP dead serious about Open Source Virtualization for SMBs

HP today announced the expansion of its virtualized browsing solution across select business desktop products and its plans to introduce Linux as an operating system choice for business desktop customers.

The offerings are designed to help small businesses enhance their productivity and ease their management of technology.

The first-of-its-kind Mozilla Firefox for HP Virtual Solution was developed with Symantec and Mozilla for HP customers. The solution uses the standard release of Mozilla Firefox with a Symantec Software Virtualization Solution layer that allows customers to use the Internet productively while keeping business PCs stable and easier to support.

As customers surf the web, changes made to the PC are contained in a “virtual layer,” separate from the operating system, and do not permanently alter the machine. Customers can therefore reset the browser as needed, instantly returning the PC to its last-known good state.

Previously offered on the HP Compaq dc7900 Business Desktop PC, this virtual protection tool will soon be extended to work with HP Compaq dc7500, HP Compaq dc5800, HP Compaq dc5850, HP Compaq dx2400, HP Compaq dx2450 and HP Compaq dx2390 desktop PCs.

“As companies continue to rely on the Internet as a primary business tool, the need for systems that are more stable and resistant to the effects of interacting on the web has become a top concern,” said Alan Reed, vice president and general manager, Business Desktops, HP. “With HP’s virtual browsing solution, small business customers are equipped with an easy-to-use solution to efficiently manage their PCs, ultimately saving time and costs.”

“We’re pleased that more people will be able to experience the exceptional features offered in Firefox,” said Margaret Tallman, Business Development, Mozilla. “With Mozilla Firefox for HP Virtual Solutions, HP business customers will receive all the same key security attributes offered within Mozilla Firefox’s standard version, including instant website ID, password manager, anti-malware, anti-phishing, one-click private data clearing, pop-up blocker.”

Ken Berryman, vice president, Endpoint Virtualization, Symantec, said: “This solution is a key milestone as application virtualization is now mainstream technology that makes PCs more efficient, stable and capable of meeting today’s changing business demands. Delivering application software virtually allows businesses to provide a more productive and less expensive computing experience.”

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