HP has created a new business unit within its Enterprise Storage and Server (ESS) organization to advance its software capabilities that help customers manage, virtualize and automate their IT systems. The ESS Software unit will bring together assets from across several HP storage and server software portfolios. The new unit is chartered with differentiating HP’s current server and storage software and developing additional capabilities to help companies build out an Adaptive Infrastructure that flexes with business priorities. Through the unit, HP also will drive open standards and broaden support for its server and storage platforms. Bob Schultz, 48, has been appointed senior vice president and general manager of the unit with immediate effect. In this role, he will be responsible for strategic planning, product development, product management and go-to-market efforts. Initially, ESS Software offerings will include: HP Systems Insight Manager, the industry’s first cross-platform server and storage management software; HP Storage Essentials, based on software from the company’s acquisition of AppIQ; HP Virtual Server Environment, which optimizes server resource utilization in real time; and, HP ProLiant Essentials for management of HP ProLiant servers. Since 2003, Schultz has been senior vice president and general manager of the HP StorageWorks division, the second largest vendor of external storage by worldwide revenue in the third calendar quarter of 2006, according to IDC. He will continue to lead HP StorageWorks until a successor is named in the next few weeks. “The formation of a focused storage and server software unit will help HP differentiate our servers and storage solutions and better integrate with our business technology optimization offerings,” said Scott Stallard, senior vice president and general manager, Enterprise Storage and Servers, HP. “Bob’s ability to build strong businesses, collaborate across teams and drive results with our sales and partner organizations are crucial skills well-matched to the needs of the new unit.”