HPE launches e-commerce site to ease IT procurement for SMBs

HPE Marketplace provides access to channel partner pricing for IT

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has unveiled a pilot e-commerce platform for SMB customers in the UK designed to serve as a one-stop shop to procure IT infrastructure from HPE's channel partners.

The HPE Marketplace provides SMB customers with access to channel partner prices and the ability to purchase a broad range of HPE's servers, storage, networking products and services, the firm said. The UK launch follows the successful pilot of a similar platform in the US.

HPE has clearly seen growth opportunities in the SMB market since its formation last year, and considers it worth focusing on more closely with targeted products and services. The firm launched a hyperconverged appliance earlier this year making it easier for mid-size companies to get started with virtualised infrastructure.

HPE also introduced its Easy Connect appliance in partnership with Zynstra that delivers a set of IT services for smaller companies that are managed for them by a service provider.

The HPE Marketplace can be seen as a logical continuation of this strategy, allowing SMBs to find the right solution for their requirements from HPE's channel partners.

"Our small and mid-size business customers now expect and demand a wide variety of choices and options from their online shopping experience," said Lee Hughes, HPE's vice president of indirect sales and service providers.

"Our new direct-to-partner model will give our customers the ability to choose which partner best fits their specific IT infrastructure needs. As an additional benefit, we'll also drive more revenue back to our participating channel partners."

The HPE Marketplace allows SMBs to get access to products and services at competitive market prices, according to the firm.

Customers can browse the available products on offer, get detailed overviews and specifications on products and services, and compare prices and any special offers from HPE's trusted partners.