HP, Informix ink deal

Today's romance is with Informix Software (IFMX), which has inked a deal to allow HP to resell the Informix Universal Server database software with HP's Domain Enterprise Servers. Informix will also supply its Universal Web Connect software for linking applications to back-end databases over the Web; Web DataBlade Module for storing Web data types in the database; Text DataBlade for supporting text files; and several application templates for building text databases and online publications.

HP earlier this week announced a similar agreement with Cisco Systems (CSCO) that will cover development of networking technology, integration of tools, service, and support in an effort to entice customers already using Internet and intranet technologies to buy all future equipment and services from them.

The Informix deal, although unrelated, is also an attempt to appeal to customers seeking a single source for both server hardware and software for building intranet applications.

For Informix, the deal is a solid boost to the company's efforts to establish Universal Server as an industry-leading intranet application platform over those of competitors including Oracle, IBM, and Sybase.

Informix officials said the deal with HP is non-exclusive, which leaves the door open for similar deals in the future with other hardware makers. "We are not announcing [additional partnerships] at this time. But we are always talking to other hardware companies," said Kim Wessleman, director of Web marketing at Informix.

The Informix software will debut on HP servers in April, said Wessleman. By July, HP will deliver hardware and software bundles containing the Informix software.

Informix Universal Server with various Web components is priced at $2,700 per user. HP's Domain Enterprise Servers are priced from $7,995.