HP strengthens its position as a benchmark in the workstation market with the Z range

With desktop platforms, mobile and virtual, HP has reinforced its strategic proposal in the workstation market with the Z range, where the manufacturer holds quotas of more than 50% in Spain and Europe, to respond in computing capacity, Graphics performance and reliability to every professional and environment.

Innovation and power define the portfolio of workstations that Hp has available in the Spanish market, that are included in its Z range 'the DNA of its workstations', composed of all-in-one desktop models such as the Z840; laptops with the ultralight ZBook system, and virtual systems for collaborative environments that require centralized management.

As Marco Antonio Viejo has pointed out, responsible for the area of workstations of HP Spain, "We have a workstation platform for every professional and need that has the Z 'DNA': Increased capacity, durability and reliability for maximum performance and graphics speed".

In the desktop Workstation Z environment, the Z400 family has been redesigned, with a more compact and transportable format, and the fifth generation of processors have been incorporated Intel Xeon ES v3 and graphics nVIDIA Quadro and AMD FirePro, as well as the Thunderbolt connector for faster file transfer performance.

To this range is added the new Z840, Designed for high computing and dual-processor visualization, Expandable chassis (Up to seven expansion slots, Ten bays, another sixteen to include memory and 2TB), and the Z640 model, A very quiet system for space-constrained environments.

Ultrabook form factor and collaborative environments

What's new in mobile workstations focus on the HP ZBook ultrabook form factor, with screen of 14 and 15" and possibility of touch option with ten points, that equip Microsoft Windows 8.1, Intel Core processors and AMD Fire Pro 3D graphics.

In the virtual environment, HP has developed the DL380z Gen model 9 for collaborative work that require centralized project management, With large computing capacity and graphics for virtual sessions of up to eight users. "We offer mobility, Remote collaboration through virtual sessions and maximum security in the development of a project between professionals from anywhere", underlines Viejo.

This system, with 2U rackmount, Incorporates the latest professional graphics suite, as nVIDIA Grid cards; Intel E5 v3 processors up to 36 Nuclei (3,5 Ghz), memory of 1,5 TB and Windows operating system and Linux Client.

ZDisplays Professional Monitors

The potential of the Z range not only remains in the segment of workstations, but the company has developed ZDisplay monitors (more details on Digital AV Magazine) that incorporate Dream Color technology, More screen sizes and Ultra Narrow Bezel format so that professionals can work with several monitors as if it were a videowall.

As Viejo points out, "all ZDisplay have zero subpixel, I mean, none defective, and all are delivered calibrated from the factory so that the visualization and color are optimal". The company will soon present a curved ZDisplay in 34 inches to work in 4K and 5K.

HP's monitor portfolio focuses on new Z27s and Z24s models, with ultra high definition (UHD) 4K, and on the 5K Z27q system, Specially designed to increase productivity by expanding the visual workspace and connecting more devices, that the company showed at CES 2015.

Innovative tools

As Marco A points out. Old, "HP puts all the tools at your fingertips with these systems and our customers innovation and creativity", which has resulted in "that we are five years ahead of the PC world with our workstations".

To do this, the manufacturer has designed the Z range to make access to the internal elements easy, Wireless-free, with a modular structure and quiet operation. "In our Total Test Process we perform 115.000 hours of testing each team and working closely with our partners and independent developers (Isv), how Avid, adobe, Autodesk, Etc. to integrate applications".

These innovations include HP Z Turbo Drive, to improve 4K graphics rendering and eliminate bottlenecks when handling large amounts of data with solid-state drives, "something that we have solved by connecting the SSD via PCIe and thus doubling the access speed, and that soon we will double again", ensures this responsible.

The incorporation of Dream Color technology throughout the Z range and monitors is another of the manufacturer's innovations to provide the accuracy and coexistence of color in workflows, Fruit of the collaboration with the production company Dreamworks, with which they offer more than a billion colors.

Another valuable tool available in these workstations is Performance Advisor, a tool that Marco A. Viejo defines as "a personal geek", Able to improve application performance, Detect problems and identify bottlenecks.

To this is added Remote Graphics Software, a protocol that sends screen pixels optimally for maximum graphics performance, but with low bandwidth consumption. "Thanks to this, a professional can present a project to a client from a tablet., but working remotely against your workstation".

Growing market

With a market share of 62% on and above desktop workstations 50% in the portable range, according to the data of Idc corresponding to the third quarter of 2014 in Spain and that remains in the accumulated of the year, The manufacturer not only remains a benchmark in this business segment nationwide, "but we have the best in Europe and we have been fifteen years above 50%", points out Viejo.

Growth forecasts for this year are not far behind, mainly in the mobility environment, in which an increase of around 35%, "Since the market increasingly demands more portable systems for their professional work, and we are doubling unit sales.", compared to a moderate 6-8% of the desktop environment, "A smaller and very controlled market".

The parameters that foster this growth are clear to the HP executive: "Any company that starts innovating needs a Workstation", to which he adds "the transition from the CAD environment to 3D, which will also favor the sale of workstations because it changes the way of working, with systems that offer higher graphics performance and computing power".

A different theme is that of virtual workstations, of which there are still no dates of introduction in the Spanish market "and its sale will be linked to the demand we have from customers, As with the curved monitor of 34 inches", specify Old.

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