HP Brings Treasures of Vatican Museums to the Web; Company Extends Existing Collaboration with the Holy See by Providing Additional IT Infrastructure and Wireless Technology.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ROME--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2003

HP today announced a new joint programme with the Holy See designed to give millions of people access online to the Vatican Museums' artistic collections, one of the world's most extensive and remarkable of its kind.

By designing and improving the information technology (IT) infrastructure of the Holy See Web site (www.vatican.va), HP has helped the Vatican create an official Museums Web site that includes images and information about priceless and breathtaking sculptures and fine art from a broad range of historical periods, world cultures and religions.

The new site will also feature works by great masters such as Michelangelo, Raffaello, Perugino and Botticelli. This endeavor follows six months after the online debut of the Vatican's Apostolic Library.

Online visitors will have access to the combined treasures of the Vatican -- that have historically attracted millions of pilgrims and which UNESCO calls a "heritage for mankind" -- including the Sistine Chapel, Raffaello's Rooms, the Picture Gallery, the Egyptian Gregorian Museum, the Etruscan Gregorian Museum and the Ethnologic Missionary Museum.

Detailed descriptions of each of the works of art within each collection are also provided. In total 213 descriptions are included, 117 high-resolution images and 96 medium-resolution images. www.vatican.va/museums will also provide useful information such as the Museum's opening hours, entrance fees, transportation links and services.

"Technology is an indispensable tool in helping break down both physical and cultural barriers. We are proud to partner with the Vatican in this prestigious and important initiative to ensure that the Vatican Museums' treasures are accessible to everyone, anywhere around the world," said Debra Dunn, senior vice president, HP Corporate Affairs.

As part of the program, HP will provide the Holy See with HP technology to maximise service availability, reliability and processing response speed. The IT infrastructure will ensure that all visitors have an optimal experience navigating the precious works of art. Users will also soon be able to access the Museums Web site on the go using mobile telephones and mobile devices such as HP iPAQ 5450 Pocket PCs powered by Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) technology.

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