HP Delivers Business Solutions for Smaller Retailers, Desktop Power Users

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced the expansion of its business systems portfolio to include advanced point-of-sale solutions for the small to midsized retail market, new business desktop PCs with enhanced performance and security, and HP Total Care service and support.

Easy to set up and use, the new HP rp3000 Point of Sale (POS) solution offers small to midsized retailers functionality that far exceeds the point-of-sale capabilities and lifespan of a standard PC or traditional electronic cash register.

The top-of-the-line HP Compaq dc7900 business desktop series includes security, productivity and power-saving features to provide business power users a reliable computing experience that can handle the most demanding workloads.

"HP continues to deliver the innovative computing solutions needed to drive a successful business – providing reliable products and stronger security, along with support services and custom solutions that help our customers stay focused on their business instead of the technology that runs it,” said Jeri Callaway, senior vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP.

"As the hub of all in-store transactions, customers require a trusted vendor for retail POS solutions that provide security, reliability and durability,” said Greg Buzek, founder and president, IHL Group, a global research and advisory firm based in Franklin, Tenn. "HP is positioned as one of the new leaders in the POS market because it provides retailers – small, midsized and large – an easy-to-manage, hardened solution, without breaking their budget.”

HP expands POS portfolio with space-saving new design for small to midsized businesses

HP offers retail businesses of all sizes a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software and services to help build an in-store technology solution. The HP rp3000 Point of Sale system and new POS peripheral offerings build on the success of the award-winning HP rp5700 Point of Sale solution, geared toward enterprises.

Designed from the ground up based on input from small- to medium-sized and independent retailers, the space-saving rp3000 helps manage multiple aspects of their operations to help save time and money. For example, a variety of point-of-sale software applications can be used to help manage inventory, speed up transactions, track employee time cards, and track customer shopping habits for gift card and discount promotions.

Sleekly styled, the rp3000 uses only industry-standard technologies, making it an affordable, easier-to-manage platform compared to expensive, proprietary POS systems. Only two power outlets are needed per system, including power for the monitor and all peripherals, with powered serial and USB ports standard to eliminate cable clutter. Color-coded input/output ports simplify set up and present a clean back panel to customers.

The retail-hardened rp3000 features the low-power and low-heat Intel® Atom processor and a durable steel chassis to stand up to the wear and tear of a merchant’s day-to-day business activity. An energy-efficient, oversized cooling system helps enable a longer life cycle and more continuous performance in busy retail environments, with the unit capable of operating in an ambient 40°C environment (versus an average ambient 35°C environment for business PCs), eliminating the need for additional external cooling in extended-use scenarios.

HP’s new portfolio of retail peripherals includes a keyboard with integrated credit card reader, a free-standing credit card reader that can be attached to select HP flat panel monitors or touch screens and customer display pole. HP also introduced three new retail printers, including a single-station, two-color and monochrome thermal printer and two hybrid thermal printers that can print two-color or monochrome receipts and offer impact slip printing for inserted forms and checks. One model also provides digital imaging functionality.

A rugged, 15-inch diagonal, flat-panel touch screen monitor and heavy-duty cash drawer also are available, along with a durable, lightweight handheld scanner with a hands-free IntelliStand™. The system and its optional peripherals are neatly and safely contained on the rp3000 Integration Tray.

All POS solutions from HP are backed by HP Total Care service and support, including standard three-year warranty covering parts, labor and onsite support. HP’s industry relationships with key retail integrated software vendors and extensive reseller channel also ensure integration of services, support and retail expertise across virtually every industry and local market.

The HP rp3000 Point of Sale Solution is expected to be available on Sept. 30 through HP authorized resellers for a starting list price of $699.⁽¹⁾ More information about HP’s retail solution offerings is available at www.hp.com/go/POS.

Business-class PC with stronger security, energy efficiency

Whether in the back office of the largest retailer or on the desk of a chief executive officer, the new HP Compaq dc7900 Business Desktop PC series offers power-packed performance with up to 87-percent-efficient power supplies. It also is ENERGY STAR® 4.0 qualified and Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT™) Gold registered.

Energy-conscious businesses additionally can use HP Power Manager to personalize their PCs’ power settings for an optimal mix of performance and conservation, ultimately reducing their PCs’ energy usage and environmental impact.

With the new HP Firefox Virtual Browser, customers can surf the Internet and know that if they are attacked by malicious software, it only takes one click to undo the attack. This virtualized run-time environment corrals malicious content from a user’s Internet interactions and removes unwanted programs with a single click, potentially limiting the need to conduct a scan, repair and reinstall of applications and security settings.

Customers also can personalize their levels of data protection with two new features in the HP ProtectTools security suite. Privacy Manager allows customers to securely exchange emails with a digital signature, while File Sanitizer allows customers to easily and permanently remove data from a PC prior to disposal.

The HP Compaq dc7900 Business Desktop PC series comes in ultra-slim desktop, small form factor or convertible minitower models.

To additionally reduce operating costs, the HP Total Care Green to Gold CD⁽²⁾ – available for $1 with any SmartBuy purchase – offers customers up to $75 worth of services such as HP Upline, HP Power Manager and HP Recycling Service.⁽³⁾ More information about the CD is available at www.hp.com/go/greentogold.

The HP Compaq dc7900 Business Desktop PC is expected to be available worldwide at later this month at a starting U.S. list price of $599.⁽¹⁾ More information about HP’s desktop offerings is available at www.hp.com/go/desktops.

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com/.

Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.

⁽¹⁾ Pricing may vary and is subject to change without notice.

⁽²⁾ Offered in United States only. Not valid on the B2B extranet sites (not combined with B2B or big deal discounts), retail stores or with any HP resellers, for any products intended for resale or OEM activity as defined by HP, on employee purchase programs, retroactivity on previously purchased items or cash redemption. Each CD eCoupon code is limited to one usage (order) per customer, non-transferable and must be provided and redeemed at time of order, while supplies last. Subject to program and pricing changes without notice. HP reserves the right to qualify purchasers as small and medium business customers at the time of order. Offer void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Offer limited to recycling PC hardware equipment only; monitors excluded.

⁽³⁾ HP Total Care Green to Gold CD promotion offers free recycling service on one order placed on the HP SMB online store from June 2, 2008 thru Oct. 31, 2008 for small and medium business customers only. The maximum discount to be applied by using the eCoupon is not to exceed $41 and is limited to HP PC Recycling Service SKUs, specifically #ZU360AA Desktop/Workstation and #ZU361AA Notebook/Tablet PC. Not valid on the B2B extranet sites (not combinable with B2B or big deal discounts), retail stores or with any HP resellers, for any products intended for resale or OEM activity as defined by HP, on employee purchase programs, retroactively on previously purchased items, or cash redemption. Each coupon code is limited to one usage (order) per customer, non-transferable and must be provided and redeemed at time of order, while supplies last. Valid in the United States. Offer void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corp. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. ENERGY STAR is a registered mark owned by the U.S. government.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.