For the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), compute technology is critically important. The U.S. military leverages computers for everything from intelligence and surveillance to force protection, autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
But before these computers can be deployed, in many instances, they must first be ruggedized: hardened to withstand a range of harsh and sometimes unpredictable conditions such as temperature fluctuations or extremes, shock and vibration, dust and water, electromagnetic interference, and sudden changes in air pressure.
As the military strategizes future missions, part of its preparations involves anticipating the conditions the computer equipment must withstand and implementing associated equipment standards. Off-the-shelf computers do not typically meet those standardsโand thatโs where Systel steps in.
Based in Sugar Land, Texas, Systel specializes in building ruggedized computers that meet or exceed the standards set by its customers. Systelโs customers include the DoD and operators in other industries, such as energy and transportation that work under harsh conditions.
After winning the DoD opportunity, a decision to partner with HPE:
Systelโs DoD customers often select the compute platform they want to use. Recently, for instance, a U.S. military organization that was planning its future air-based capabilities selected the HPE Apollo 2000 Gen10 Plus high-density servers as one of its core technologies. โHPE is a leading, world-class organization and a lot of our customers use HPE technology,โ says Aneesh Kothari, Vice President of Marketing, Systel. โThey need high-density performance and small, light-weight form factors, so they specify HPE SKUs.โ
However, the first vendor selected to ruggedize these servers was unsuccessful. After several attempts, the vendor remained unable to meet DoD equipment standards. The organization turned to Systel, which leveraged its deep skillset in mechanical and electrical design to build prototype systems that fulfilled the DoD requirements.
As part of this initial engagement, Systel realized the benefits of working closely with HPE. โAs we talk to customers like this one about what problems they are trying to solve, it helps to align with HPE,โ Kothari explains. Systel formalized its relationship with HPE in the summer of 2022 by joining the HPE OEM Solutions program.
A relationship forged on shared values, commitment to end customers:
Systelโs decision to become an HPE OEM was based partly on the shared values of the two companies. โBoth Systel and HPE have similar values in how we treat our customers,โ says Kothari. โWe donโt approach these engagements as transactions. Weโre both hyper-aware of where the end products will be used and the importance of our customersโ missions.โ
The HPE OEM Solutions program simplifies workflows from the customersโ perspective. For example, Systel and HPE can streamline acquisition processes. Customers can more easily arrange for purchased equipment to be shipped directly to Systel for ruggedization, rather than having to accept shipment themselves and then redirect it to another vendor.
The HPE OEM program also streamlines warranty and support processes in a way that ultimately benefits end customers. โOur customer has support contracts in place with HPE,โ explains Tromer DiFiore-Smith, Program Manager at Systel. โThatโs definitely a selling point for them and with HPE OEM Solutions, the systems we customize are covered by their contract.โ Systelโs customization work, under the terms of the HPE OEM agreement, does not void the HPE warranty, which is also extended by 90 days, covering the time Systel needs to harden the systems.
Future-proofed solutionsโand future business opportunities:
From Systelโs perspective, the most important benefits of the HPE OEM Solutions program are not transactional. โOur goal is to do whatโs best for our DoD customers,โ Kothari says. โThrough our HPE OEM relationship, itโs easier to have joint meetings with our customers and HPE to understand our customersโ requirements and shape how to meet them.โ
Systel also has more visibility into the HPE road map. โOur customers look to us to help shape their technology,โ says Kothari, โand a lot of what we do involves anticipating what problems our customers will need to solve 2โ4 years out. Being an HPE OEM partner will help us do a better job helping our customers future-proof their technology.โ The partnership also opens doors for new business opportunities.
โSo many applications, from the military through smart cities and energy production, need the power and performance of HPE technology in a ruggedized format,โ Kothari concludes. โThrough HPE OEM Solutions, Systel and HPE can leverage each otherโs strengths to better meet the needs of those markets.โ
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Nabanita Maji
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
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