HP has blended its Insight Control suite with Microsoft’s System Center, a k a ICE-SC, to create what it calls the industry’s first integrated management environment, a perch it will occupy until its rivals copy the move.

It’s supposed to lower infrastructure costs and improve uptime.

HP has integrated the server management features of its ProLiant and BladeSystem with Microsoft’s console for visibility and control, faster response in case of server failure and reduced risk of downtime.

It says automating server deployments and updates improves administration productivity. Everything including configuration and VM management moves through the Microsoft screeen.

HP claims 25 optimization tips for Microsoft SCVMM like host system alerts and events. It says greater insight into the relationship between host and VMs allows admins to resolve potential server performance problems and maintain maximum uptime.

A wizard-based tool configures the server hardware and deploys server operating systems via SCCM in a single operation, automating manual deployments.