Targeting the growing e-services provider market, Hewlett-Packard has ushered in its Piranha A-Class entry-level server line.

HP's strategy, homing in on the $1.3 billion Australian server market, takes a three-pronged approach. HP9000, A400 and A500 Unix servers will include fully incorporate WAP (wireless application protocol), according to a company statement.

HP is also offering Server on Demand (an extension of instant Capacity On Demand - iCOD), financing and services for the entry-level server products to allow companies to fast-track their Internet initiatives.

HP also presented more than 20 Internet ISVs who will enable their applications to run on the HP-UX platform.

The A-Class has been specifically designed for Web with a pizza-box form that can be stacked, giving service providers power and flexibility to handle increasing Web traffic, HP said.

Available with Nokia's Web server, the A-Class incorporates applications, including Infoseek's search engine, Resonates load-balancing software, and e-speak.

"WAP has become the de facto standard in mobile Internet. As the penetration of WAP applications and WAP-enabled devices continues to increase, cooperation with companies such as HP is a huge opportunity to help the newly connected customer," said Pertti Lounamaa, vice president, Nokia Internet Communications.

"Nokia's WAP software, in conjunction with HP's offering, will let service providers and corporate customers alike move rapidly to harness the power of the mobile Internet."

The servers are available with Java optimised HP-UX 11 and Linux operating systems, and include WebQoS peak traffic management software, extended fault management systems and Web-based management tools for remote diagnostics.

The HP 9000 A400 and A500 servers are available now. The A Class starts at (ex GST) $12,000.

The A500 (440MHZ) will ship in late August; the A400 (440MHZ) will ship in late September; the A500 (550MHZ) will ship in late October.