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Sun attacks HP AlphaServer customer base with new migration programme

By Alun Williams

Posted on 16 Jul 2003 at 12:28

Sun has launched a migration programme to attract users of the HP Alpha/Tru64 platform, who are faced with converting to Itanium systems. Dubbed 'HP Away' it is intended to capture customers for Sun's own Solaris-based Unix servers.

Sun is aggressive in its announcement and takes another pop at Intel's server processor. It refers to the 'havoc' created by the end of development for the Alpha/Tru64 platform, and describes the Itanium - to which the HP customers are being migrated - as 'a platform with a questionable track record and limited industry support'.

The Alpha processor has a long and winding history, being the subject of a number of corporate acquisitions - from DEC (Digital), to Compaq and then to HP.

While HP released a new EV7 Alpha processor back in January - HP goes back to Alpha - it was already preparing the way for AlphaServer users to migrate to systems based on Intel's server processor. The reason being that HP wants to harmonise its server offerings around the Itanium.

Sun is keen to exploit this change. 'It's not everyday a competitor unlocks its vault and makes it easy to steal away their customers,' said Larry Singer, Sun's vice president, global information systems strategy office. 'We have a golden opportunity to grow our UNIX server leadership position. We're fully mobilized to target the entire Alpha/Tru64 installed base, with the goal of moving a large percentage to Sun Solaris. We're confident that customers comparing the proven track record of SPARC and Solaris to the shaky history of Itanium will choose Sun.'

Details of the programme include a free two-week Alpha/Tru64 to Solaris OS migration assessment service and deferred payment terms for the migration, and application porting support through Sun's professional services group and iForce centres.

You can find more information on HP Away at www.sun.com/tru64migration.