HP MicroServer
HP MicroServer
HP MicroServer
HP MicroServer
HP MicroServer was introduced as a new product aimed at small to medium business-sized (SMB) customers who needed a compact server solution. This entry level enterprise product addressed first-time and home server buyers. I was tasked with establishing the hardware design strategy and product usability.
HP MicroServer was introduced as a new product aimed at small to medium business-sized (SMB) customers who needed a compact server solution. This entry level enterprise product addressed first-time and home server buyers. I was tasked with establishing the hardware design strategy and product usability.
HP MicroServer was introduced as a new product aimed at small to medium business-sized (SMB) customers who needed a compact server solution. This entry level enterprise product addressed first-time and home server buyers. I was tasked with establishing the hardware design strategy and product usability.
HP MicroServer was introduced as a new product aimed at small to medium business-sized (SMB) customers who needed a compact server solution. This entry level enterprise product addressed first-time and home server buyers. I was tasked with establishing the hardware design strategy and product usability.
Outcome
MicroServer ultimately achieved the number five top selling server product for the company.
Having the opportunity to create and establish a new product line was an invaluable experience in design strategy. It was unlike any other product that HP had produced within the enterprise server group. Subsequent generations have been produced and are currently being sold.
Solution
The first MicroServer launched in 2012 (pictured left) and received positive feedback from customers. Although it won an iF Design Award, the overall design was impacted and limited due to an engineering decision to use an off-the-shelf chassis. I was not satisfied with this design and continued to evangelize the need for improvement.
MicroServer Gen8 (pictured right) was engineering completed in-house at HP. After success with introducing the first MicroServer, upper management was convinced to invest in a modular strategy as the product line matured.
Moodboard inspiration was driven by customer feedback from marketing and product management. For internal stakeholder alignment, I synthesized the customer feedback and highlighted potential key design attributes.
Ideation focused on addressing requirements for security, quiet fan noise, efficient cooling, access to hard drives, ease of repair, and stacking.
A wide range of options were investigated to re-imagine how a computing product could be packaged. Concepts were provided to marketing and product management for customer feedback.
The stackable solution (pictured left) became the foundation for design direction.
By providing a cover that is vertically removed, overall usability was improved for Gen8 with access to internal components from three sides. All internal touchpoints were highlighted with labels and graphic instructions. Health Status is always visible due to the front glowing light bar.
Online Magazine Reviews
PCMag.com
"Getting into the guts of the server is easier than with the original MicroServer, thanks to easier-to-use internal access mechanisms."
"Affordable."
"Stylish and customizable chassis."
"Runs quiet."
"Takes up very little desk real estate."
"Easier access to components than in previous-generation models."
Storage Review
"The HP MicroServer Gen8 uses a small footprint like its predecessors while sporting a new slick looking design. Though its form factor only allows for four storage bays and limited upgradability, its small, quiet, and energy efficient design enables the MicroServer Gen8 to be placed virtually anywhere in the office."
"The front panel has a relatively minimalist look but has everything a small server needs."
"The small footprint form-factor is incredibly easy to maintain and looks nice in situations where it's out in the open."
TechRadar
"The new Gen8 model, however, is a much more substantial product with a great deal of attention to detail and the kind of quality feel corporate buyers look for."
"HP has added clear labelling showing how to manage this and other hardware maintenance tasks - just as on bigger ProLiants."
"The Gen8 makeover has turned the ugly MicroServer duckling into a fully-fledged ProLiant swan with a well-designed and superbly constructed chassis that inspires confidence from the word go."
Outcome
MicroServer ultimately achieved the number five top selling server product for the company.
Having the opportunity to create and establish a new product line was an invaluable experience in design strategy. It was unlike any other product that HP had produced within the enterprise server group. Subsequent generations have been produced and are currently being sold.
Solution
The first MicroServer launched in 2012 (pictured left) and received positive feedback from customers. Although it won an iF Design Award, the overall design was impacted and limited due to an engineering decision to use an off-the-shelf chassis. I was not satisfied with this design and continued to evangelize the need for improvement.
MicroServer Gen8 (pictured right) was engineering completed in-house at HP. After success with introducing the first MicroServer, upper management was convinced to invest in a modular strategy as the product line matured.
Moodboard inspiration was driven by customer feedback from marketing and product management. For internal stakeholder alignment, I synthesized the customer feedback and highlighted potential key design attributes.
Ideation focused on addressing requirements for security, quiet fan noise, efficient cooling, access to hard drives, ease of repair, and stacking.
A wide range of options were investigated to re-imagine how a computing product could be packaged. Concepts were provided to marketing and product management for customer feedback.
The stackable solution (pictured left) became the foundation for design direction.
By providing a cover that is vertically removed, overall usability was improved for Gen8 with access to internal components from three sides. All internal touchpoints were highlighted with labels and graphic instructions. Health Status is always visible due to the front glowing light bar.
Online Magazine Reviews
PCMag.com
"Getting into the guts of the server is easier than with the original MicroServer, thanks to easier-to-use internal access mechanisms."
"Affordable."
"Stylish and customizable chassis."
"Runs quiet."
"Takes up very little desk real estate."
"Easier access to components than in previous-generation models."
Storage Review
"The HP MicroServer Gen8 uses a small footprint like its predecessors while sporting a new slick looking design. Though its form factor only allows for four storage bays and limited upgradability, its small, quiet, and energy efficient design enables the MicroServer Gen8 to be placed virtually anywhere in the office."
"The front panel has a relatively minimalist look but has everything a small server needs."
"The small footprint form-factor is incredibly easy to maintain and looks nice in situations where it's out in the open."
TechRadar
"The new Gen8 model, however, is a much more substantial product with a great deal of attention to detail and the kind of quality feel corporate buyers look for."
"HP has added clear labelling showing how to manage this and other hardware maintenance tasks - just as on bigger ProLiants."
"The Gen8 makeover has turned the ugly MicroServer duckling into a fully-fledged ProLiant swan with a well-designed and superbly constructed chassis that inspires confidence from the word go."
Outcome
MicroServer ultimately achieved the number five top selling server product for the company.
Having the opportunity to create and establish a new product line was an invaluable experience in design strategy. It was unlike any other product that HP had produced within the enterprise server group. Subsequent generations have been produced and are currently being sold.
Solution
The first MicroServer launched in 2012 (pictured left) and received positive feedback from customers. Although it won an iF Design Award, the overall design was impacted and limited due to an engineering decision to use an off-the-shelf chassis. I was not satisfied with this design and continued to evangelize the need for improvement.
MicroServer Gen8 (pictured right) was engineering completed in-house at HP. After success with introducing the first MicroServer, upper management was convinced to invest in a modular strategy as the product line matured.
Moodboard inspiration was driven by customer feedback from marketing and product management. For internal stakeholder alignment, I synthesized the customer feedback and highlighted potential key design attributes.
Ideation focused on addressing requirements for security, quiet fan noise, efficient cooling, access to hard drives, ease of repair, and stacking.
A wide range of options were investigated to re-imagine how a computing product could be packaged. Concepts were provided to marketing and product management for customer feedback.
The stackable solution (pictured left) became the foundation for design direction.
By providing a cover that is vertically removed, overall usability was improved for Gen8 with access to internal components from three sides. All internal touchpoints were highlighted with labels and graphic instructions. Health Status is always visible due to the front glowing light bar.
Online Magazine Reviews
PCMag.com
"Getting into the guts of the server is easier than with the original MicroServer, thanks to easier-to-use internal access mechanisms."
"Affordable."
"Stylish and customizable chassis."
"Runs quiet."
"Takes up very little desk real estate."
"Easier access to components than in previous-generation models."
Storage Review
"The HP MicroServer Gen8 uses a small footprint like its predecessors while sporting a new slick looking design. Though its form factor only allows for four storage bays and limited upgradability, its small, quiet, and energy efficient design enables the MicroServer Gen8 to be placed virtually anywhere in the office."
"The front panel has a relatively minimalist look but has everything a small server needs."
"The small footprint form-factor is incredibly easy to maintain and looks nice in situations where it's out in the open."
TechRadar
"The new Gen8 model, however, is a much more substantial product with a great deal of attention to detail and the kind of quality feel corporate buyers look for."
"HP has added clear labelling showing how to manage this and other hardware maintenance tasks - just as on bigger ProLiants."
"The Gen8 makeover has turned the ugly MicroServer duckling into a fully-fledged ProLiant swan with a well-designed and superbly constructed chassis that inspires confidence from the word go."
Outcome
MicroServer ultimately achieved the number five top selling server product for the company.
Having the opportunity to create and establish a new product line was an invaluable experience in design strategy. It was unlike any other product that HP had produced within the enterprise server group. Subsequent generations have been produced and are currently being sold.
Solution
The first MicroServer launched in 2012 (pictured left) and received positive feedback from customers. Although it won an iF Design Award, the overall design was impacted and limited due to an engineering decision to use an off-the-shelf chassis. I was not satisfied with this design and continued to evangelize the need for improvement.
MicroServer Gen8 (pictured right) was engineering completed in-house at HP. After success with introducing the first MicroServer, upper management was convinced to invest in a modular strategy as the product line matured.
Moodboard inspiration was driven by customer feedback from marketing and product management. For internal stakeholder alignment, I synthesized the customer feedback and highlighted potential key design attributes.
Ideation focused on addressing requirements for security, quiet fan noise, efficient cooling, access to hard drives, ease of repair, and stacking.
A wide range of options were investigated to re-imagine how a computing product could be packaged. Concepts were provided to marketing and product management for customer feedback.
The stackable solution (pictured left) became the foundation for design direction.
By providing a cover that is vertically removed, overall usability was improved for Gen8 with access to internal components from three sides. All internal touchpoints were highlighted with labels and graphic instructions. Health Status is always visible due to the front glowing light bar.
Online Magazine Reviews
PCMag.com
"Getting into the guts of the server is easier than with the original MicroServer, thanks to easier-to-use internal access mechanisms."
"Affordable."
"Stylish and customizable chassis."
"Runs quiet."
"Takes up very little desk real estate."
"Easier access to components than in previous-generation models."
Storage Review
"The HP MicroServer Gen8 uses a small footprint like its predecessors while sporting a new slick looking design. Though its form factor only allows for four storage bays and limited upgradability, its small, quiet, and energy efficient design enables the MicroServer Gen8 to be placed virtually anywhere in the office."
"The front panel has a relatively minimalist look but has everything a small server needs."
"The small footprint form-factor is incredibly easy to maintain and looks nice in situations where it's out in the open."
TechRadar
"The new Gen8 model, however, is a much more substantial product with a great deal of attention to detail and the kind of quality feel corporate buyers look for."
"HP has added clear labelling showing how to manage this and other hardware maintenance tasks - just as on bigger ProLiants."
"The Gen8 makeover has turned the ugly MicroServer duckling into a fully-fledged ProLiant swan with a well-designed and superbly constructed chassis that inspires confidence from the word go."