A new IT framework developed by HP will help businesses operate their computer systems more efficiently and at a lower cost, according to visiting US experts.

Computer magnet Hewlett Packard yesterday unveiled its Darwin Architecture, a system designed to create a new level of business and IT integration.

Andres Santamaria and Muriel Ruiz, managers from HP, say the framework is adaptive and can help companies go from what they have to where they hope to go in the future. Mr. Santamaria said the framework design for small and medium business owners and had been beneficial and given them the competitive edge.

So if you were the owner of a clothing boutique, how would the framework support your existing computer system and manage your inventory and accounts?

"If you have a shop and need to control your inventory what adaptive enterprise does is provide a blueprint for where you want to go.

"We adapt to what you have and take you where you want to go. We will take you to non-inventory control to complete control with processes, hard ware applications and services," said Ms Ruiz.

With the introduction of such a service, HP says it will provide customers with a step by step approach to creating the framework design.

The Darwin Reference is a standard framework which HP says will help to reduce communication and speed change, establish common processes and policies for managing change, and define requirements for manageability, security, collaboration, and security management.