Deadly Duel: HP Integrity vs. IBM Mainframe
Taking a direct dig at its biggest rival IBM, which is the leading
player in the mainframe computer market, HP says over 250 companies
worldwide have migrated to HP Integrity systems from mainframes over the
past two years, saving up to 70% in operational costs. IBM dismisses
competitor’s claims as blatant lies.
Quoting
a study from a consulting and research outfit Robert Frances Group, HP
says the capital savings range from $1.5 million to $23 million, with up
to an additional operational cost savings of more than $4 million over
four years with HP systems. According to HP, the study shows HP
Integrity servers consumed 41% less energy and used 48% less space than
the IBM z9 mainframes they replaced.
"Lies, damned lies…" says IBM. “In
the IT industry, vendors often misuse and mischaracterize statistics —
or leave facts aside all together – in an effort to make offerings seem
competitive or innovative when they aren’t. IBM invests more than any
other IT firm in enterprise innovation. Because of that commitment, we
believe it's important to address misrepresentations and lies head-on.
The following will help you separate fact from fiction as you make
decisions in a market awash in big claims.”
It then
goes on to present its point of view saying System z
is the most powerful tool available to clients to reduce cost and
complexity and improve security and reliability in their data centers.
HP
claims it has more than 25 years of in-depth knowledge and expertise in
helping mainframe users move core applications that are critical to
their business to the right HP environment. This enables customers to
achieve significant cost savings that can then be allocated to other
strategic, high-value IT projects.
“Customers tell me they feel stuck paying a premium for their mainframe.
HP has proven to hundreds of customers that we can unlock savings and
provide a path to the future,” said Martin Fink, senior vice president
and general manager, Business Critical Systems, HP. “By moving to HP
Integrity systems, companies can realize efficiencies in time, energy
and operating costs to achieve their business objectives.”
However, giving a point-wise response to HP’s claims IBM
also says that the mainframe is
a hotbed for business applications with 600 new applications in 2007
alone. It’s gaining momentum in traditional and Linux environments, Java
and business intelligence apps. System z, says IBM quoting research firm
IDC, is a strong driver of IBM's greater than 50% revenue share in the
high-end server segment.
And the fight continues…
