HP has detailed an open standards-based Adaptive
Enterprise strategy, which focuses on allowing companies to
maintain heterogeneous environments and reduce costs through better
management.
HP's chief executive officer, Carly Fiorina said companies,
whether they are responding to federal regulations or competitive
pressures, need simplified, standardised and integrated
architectures.
The foundation of the strategy is its Darwin Reference
Architecture,which will allow companies to develop adaptive models
that are consumption-based, or pay as you go.
The company announced a number of tools, including management
software that offers automated real-time resource utilisation and
self-healing capabilities.
HP also finalised a $3bn services agreement with consumer
products company Procter & Gamble.
The deal will affect 2,000 P&G employees, who managed the
company's IT infrastructure, datacentre operations, desktop and
other services in 48 countries.
In making that decision, Filippo Passerini, P&G's global
business services officer, said he has a high-level understanding
of HP's enterprise plan, but he added that the decision to
outsource was based on the company's 15-year relationship with
HP.
"I don't think one can ever bank on one particular new solution
for a strategic long-term decision," said Passerini, who
nonetheless believes that HP's enterprise strategy will add value
to its relationship.
Although HP officials cited a number of customer references,
Fiorina focused on the company's merger with Compaq, which she
called a mammoth task.
Some of the IT infrastructure issues the company had to deal
with included some 7,000 applications, more than 200,000 desktops,
and a system that moved some 26 million e-mail messages a
week.
The company reduced overall cost by 24%, she said.
HP CEO outlines 'adaptive enterprise' strategy >>