PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 2, 1999 -- Marking the one-year anniversary of the Covision Internet Solutions program,

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced the launch of the Covision Collaboration Center (CCC), located in Foster City, Calif.

The CCC offers customers and partners added confidence in HP Covision Internet Solutions. Covision software and hardware partners spanning a wide range of solution categories will use the CCC to test their products in a simulated customer environment. This state-of-the-art Internet testing lab allows for quick implementation of integrated HP-partner solutions without costly and time-consuming configuration testing.

"The Covision Collaboration Center strengthens our ability to build real-world Internet solutions with our partners," said Greg Mihran, head of Internet solutions development for HP's Business PC Organization. "The opportunity to certify a hardware configuration before ever entering the customer's environment is valuable for everyone involved."

After going through a testing process, a Covision partner may receive the "HP Covision Configured" logo certifying that the specified HP hardware configuration is compatible with and optimized for the application. This logo is a signal to channel partners and customers that the HP hardware and operating-system configuration has performed successfully with the partner's product.

The CCC is equipped with an array of HP Vectra PCs, HP Kayak PC Workstations and HP NetServer systems running both Windows NT(R) and Linux platforms. Full Internet access also provides the capability to do some forms of solution testing remotely, extending the CCC's reach to partners in all geographic regions. R&D Solutions, a third-party systems integrator, houses the CCC and provides staff to provide on-site help and expertise.

"At the CCC, we found the latest HP technology and expertise available to test and optimize our products," said Kelly Abner, channel development manager for Infoseek Corporation. "The CCC is another great example of how the Covision program is serious about providing customers with complete Internet solutions."

The HP Covision program integrates leading Internet-based applications; HP computer technology; and services from select Internet-ready resellers, systems integrators and ISPs to provide customers with the products and services they need for success on the Internet. The Covision portfolio now includes more than 100 application and channel partners.

"One of the most costly activities we perform is Internet solution testing and optimization," said Christian Pease, vice president of market development for Altro Solutions, Inc. "HP's CCC provides us with an opportunity to have faster time to market with our customized solutions, and that is a competitive advantage. It will also help us service our clients better, since a part of their solution equation will already be solved."

Covision partners are invited to use the CCC for configuration testing and general solution testing free of charge, within certain time and frequency parameters. Customers can begin looking for the "HP Covision Configured" logo on participating partners' marketing materials during the upcoming months.

"Many partners are already utilizing the CCC to test and optimize their products," said Pam Washburn, Internet applications manager for HP's Business PC Organization. "We anticipate that the CCC will be used further by groups of partners to collaborate with one another on turnkey solution bundles."