HPE BladeSystem Reviews

HPE BladeSystem shows substantial financial benefits with improved remote access and firmware upgrades, leading to reduced downtime and significant savings. Despite higher initial costs, operational expenses decrease over time, achieving a 25%-30% ROI with long-term cost efficiency and increased capacity. Users highlight a two-year ROI due to reduced energy costs, with many acknowledging long-term usage beyond typical hardware cycles, enhancing their investment value. Positive economic impacts are noted with minimal downtime financial loss.

HPE BladeSystem is considered expensive by many users, with costs ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million. Pricing can be competitive depending on features included, but some find it comparable to, or higher than, alternatives like Dell. Licensing complexity and potential extra costs for features like Insight Control Suite are noted, though some appreciate prompt licensing processes. Many users advise careful scaling to avoid unnecessary initial expenses and recommend consulting with HPE for tailored solutions.

• "Regarding the cost, HPE BladeSystem is not cheap. The solution and its support are costly, and there are challenges with renewal and pricing, especially in Nigeria, due to the dollar rate and FX issues. However, it is reliable. I don't have specific figures for licensing costs, as the procurement and finance departments handle them."
• "The pricing is competitive."
• "The product’s price is high compared to one of its competitors."

Organizations utilize HPE BladeSystem primarily for virtualization, supporting VMware, Hyper-V, and various enterprise applications. They leverage it for SQL servers, application hosting, TV broadcasting, media services, and telecommunication systems. It is favored for its reliability, server density, and manageability. Users employ it across sectors such as finance, education, and telecommunications for high availability, ERP systems like SAP, and virtual environments, ensuring optimal performance and seamless computing capabilities for mission-critical operations.

HPE BladeSystem customer service is outstanding, receiving high praise for fast, effective assistance. Technical support varies; users appreciate fast escalation and expertise but report inconsistency, lengthy processes, and delays. Some users encounter frustration with initial support tiers, while others benefit from proactive advanced support options. Service quality can depend on regional factors and support contracts, often resulting in satisfactory outcomes but with noted areas for improvement. Resellers and partners play a key role in customer satisfaction.

HPE BladeSystem’s initial setup is frequently described as straightforward and quick, aided by Smart Start kits, templates, and documentation. Some users highlight seamless integration and simplicity, while others mention complexity depending on system configurations and network setups. Training requirements vary, with less experienced teams needing additional support. Vendor assistance is often valuable, and outsourcing is common. Challenges arise in network integration, especially with Virtual Connect, but experienced teams find it manageable.

HPE BladeSystem demonstrates strong scalability, accommodating diverse organizational needs. Users report flexibly expanding infrastructure with additional blades, easily managing increased demands. BladeSystem supports both small to medium enterprises and larger setups, supporting expansion via modular components and upgrades in storage or memory. Despite occasional challenges with older generations and manual configurations, users consistently describe BladeSystem as meeting their capacity demands effectively. Enhanced integration options are noted, particularly when using complementary software solutions.

HPE BladeSystem stability is rated highly due to its robust performance and minimal downtime. Users report it remains stable with few incidents, often related to outdated firmware. Firmware updates promptly address any stability issues, and HP's support is responsive, ensuring reliability. Despite minor hardware malfunctions, users agree its stability spans several years. The infrastructure is noted for being highly dependable, with maintenance primarily for planned updates without unexpected disruptions.