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Live Blog: HP CEO Meg Whitman Addresses Partners
Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman addresses HP Global Partner Conference 2014 (HP GPC 2014), describing mobile, big data, cloud and security strategies for partners. Here's The VAR Guy's Live Blog recap.
The VAR Guy
March 24, 2014
4 Min Read
HP CEO Meg Whitman addresses Hewlett-Packard Global Partner Conference (HP GPC) 2014.
At HP Global Partner Conference 2014, CEO Meg Whitman is addressing thousands of resellers, VARs, integrators and services providers. The VAR Guy has a front-row seat at HPGPC 2014, live from Las Vegas. Here's recap…
1. Four big themes: Cloud, big data, mobility and security.
2. Lynn Anderson, senior VP, demand generation and channel marketing: "It's about driving growth for you, for HP and for both of us." That involves "the new style of IT, which involves a new style of partnership."
3. Top sponsors: Avnet, Microsoft and Synnex are diamond sponsors, and Intel is platinum. Interesting to see, considering HP has moved beyond the classic Wintel market strategy.
4. HP CEO Meg Whitman: She earned a strong round of applause. "Ultimately, we want you to walk away with our demonstration of our commitment to the channel."
Whitman Takeaways
HP's top 2000 channel partners are at the conference.
Partner types like distributor, reseller, ISV and OEMs were mentioned.
"When the channel is healthy, HP is healthy. And HP is getting its strength back thanks to you."
70 percent of HP's revenues flows through partners.
"Operating company net debt is now zero. We've reduced our debt by $12.5 billion over the past two years."
"We've reconnected with all of you."
HP marketing generated over 100,000 leads for partners worth over $14.2 billion.
She pointed to Senior VP Sue Barsamian and several other leaders who are driving HP's channel success.
Whitman insisted that innovation has returned to HP, with OneView (infrastructure management), Store Virtual appliance bundled with servers, new analytics platforms and the overall PartnerOne partner program enhancements.
The majority of HP's partners expect to grow more than 5 percent with HP in FY14.
"We're on the right path."
Whitman's Strategy: The New Style of IT
Devices, infrastructure, software and services: That's what makes HP unique, she asserted.
"Today we are investing more in R&D than ever before."
Cloud,security, big data, mobility are the big four trends impacting the way technology is consumed and delivered.
"Customers are demanding open source and open standards."
That all adds up to a new style of business powered by IT, she asserted.
"The heat is always on. Some of your competitors weren't even in the business two years ago."
Whitman suggested the world will need more data centers as customers blend private, managed, hybrid and cloud services.
"Tens of millions of servers will be required to meet cloud demands."
Whitman suggested power requirements are not sustainable. Hence, HP Moonshot servers use 89 percent less energy and cost 77 percent less than a traditional server environment. "No other company is taking on the data center dilemma the way we are."
HP's entire strategy: To provide solutions for the New Style of IT.
New models will emerge: VARs will become cloud service providers, or distributors as cloud services aggregator.
Whitman has mentioned quite a few specific product names in the Big Data area. No mention of HP Autonomy…
Keep an eye on Flex bundles involving SAP, Microsoft, VMware and other ISVs.
Whitman promised a range of new cloud training and cloud services offerings will also accelerate partner profits.
"Together we can build a better enterprise."
EVP Bill Veghte and SVP Sue Barsamian
The duo went through a range of opportunities involving servers, storage, modern architectures, networking and more. No shockers here but we'll offer some specific product updates later this week.
Microsoft is on hand to evangelize Hyper-V and hybrid cloud services built atop HP optimized hardware.
HP focused its cloud comments on Cloud Builders, Cloud Service Providers and Cloud Resellers — somewhat similar to the cloud partner program efforts Cisco had announced about two years ago.
"We don't face the innovator's dilemma that Cisco and EMC have," Veghte asserted.
"You know when you go private you rip out cost and manage for cash flow," he added, referring to Dell.
"We have a huge opportunity with the IBM installed base of servers," referring to IBM's x86 server exit to Lenovo.
Dion Weisler, EVP, printing and personal systems
Mobility: "It's more than a technology. It's how business is starting to work and it's going to accelerate."
To cash in on mobile, it's about analysis and service; devices; apps and mobile app dev platform; cloud services and manage and security.
"We appreciate all you've done to return PPS to growth."
HP's strategy: Deliver the best experience to more people at home, at work and on the go.
Weisler offered some welcome comments about managed print services and fleet management for SMB devices. Great sound bites for managed services providers — assuming HP offloads the managed print services to MSPs.
PC as a service came up. Perhaps a new attempt at hardware as a service? Hmmm…
Stay tuned for more updates.
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