Microsoft Endorses HP As Worldwide Prime Integrator For .Net

The deal, announced on Monday, makes HP a prime contractor for Microsoft's emerging platform. "Microsoft endorses HP as a worldwide prime integrator for Microsoft .Net technologies," said a statement issued by the two companies.

HP plans to create a specialized army of .Net consultants and systems architects, according to the statement. As part of the pact, more than 5,000 HP sales professionals will be trained on .Net and 3,000 HP Services professionals will be certified on .Net.

HP will create a new group of .Net solution architects. In addition, HP will and establish a worldwide sales force of systems engineers and enterprise sales professionals to sell Microsoft .Net solutions.

Microsoft said the deal is not exclusive. HP is a prime integrator, but not the only prime integrator, a Microsoft spokesperson said.

General Mills International was identified as the first major corporate customer being serviced as part of the initiative.