HP to invest $1bn in open-source cloud computing, launches Helion portfolio

Hewlett-Packard will invest over $1 billion in open-source cloud computing products and services over the next two years.

The tech giant announced on Wednesday that its OpenStack-based public cloud service, set under a portfolio dubbed HP Helion, will become available in 20 data centers over the next two years. HP Helion includes HP's existing cloud products, new OpenStack-based services, and both professional and support services to assist businesses in building and managing hybrid IT environments.

As part of HP Helion's launch, the company has introduced several new cloud products and services, including:

• HP Helion OpenStack Community edition: A free cloud platform suitable for proofs of concept, pilots and basic production workloads. An enhanced commercial edition targeting global enterprises and service providers will be released in the coming months.
• HP Helion Development Platform: A Platform as a Service (PaaS) based on Cloud Foundry, offering IT departments and developers an open platform to build, deploy and manage applications.
• HP's OpenStack Technology Indemnification Program: Protects qualified customers using HP Helion OpenStack code from third-party patent, copyright and trade-secret infringement claims.
• HP Helion OpenStack Professional Services: A new practice made up of HP's consultants, engineers and cloud technologists to assist customers with cloud planning, implementation and operation.

HP says that over $1 billion will be invested within the Helion portfolio over the next two years, and the move to release OpenStack-based free software will join HP to the ranks of Red Hat and Oracle, which already offer OpenStack-based cloud hosting.

The firm currently operates more than 80 data centers across 27 countries.

OpenStack is a cloud computing project contributed heavily to by HP. The collaborative effort includes players such as NASA, Rackspace, Intel, IBM and VMware. The non-profit aims to support interoperability between cloud providers and the open-source cloud computing platform is freely available under the Apache 2.0 license.

HP has run OpenStack cloud services within the enterprise for the last three years, and says that as a result, the company has learnt that "organizations require solutions that are open, secure and agile." In prepared remarks, Martin Fink, executive vice president and chief technology officer at HP 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."

Last week, HP clinched a deal with electronics manufacturer Foxconn to make servers specifically for businesses that provide cloud computing services.