Joint initiative to provide cloud-based, advanced collaboration services and generate new revenue streams for VARs.

USA.NET, a provider of business e-mail hosting, yesterday announced that it has signed an agreement with HP, a technology solutions provider, to provide their hosted messaging and collaboration solutions as a part of their software-as-a-service offering for HP channel partners. The company states that this joint initiative will enable value-added resellers (VARs), managed services providers, IT integrators, and other channel partners to benefit from a hosted business email model by providing new revenue streams and helping them to become strategic advisors to their clients.

It further states that it will work with HP to equip VARs with comprehensive tools and guidance to enable them to offer its suite of hosted messaging, collaboration, email archiving, security and mobility services. The company avers that as a result, they can generate new revenue streams by offering their small and midsize business (SMB) customers a greater choice of solution delivery methods.

''This initiative builds on the strength of the existing relationship between USA.NET and HP and expands it to help VARs deliver best-in-class solutions and services that help customers streamline their operations and cut costs,'' said Doug Howard, President, USA.NET. ''This agreement provides a new source of SaaS offerings for VARs, the next step in empowering the channel to grow their businesses.''

''In this challenging economic climate, Channel partners want to grow. They can evolve their business model and leverage the collaboration between HP and USA.NET to become successful in the software as a service marketplace,'' said Duncan Campbell, Vice President, Small and Midmarket Business, HP. ''Our collaboration with USA.NET combines a comprehensive suite of reliable business email services along with the necessary elements to help them to enter this market. Through our offerings, customers can acquire critical elements of their technology environment from their trusted advisor - their channel partner - as a monthly subscription.''