Synnex Varnex 2011: HP's Stephen DiFranco Talks Up PSG

Synnex is big on HP, The VAR Guy knows this. How so? Stephen DiFranco, SVP of HP’s Personal Systems Group, had his own keynote at Synnex Varnex 2011, during which he attempted to do damage control following HP’s turbulent year so far. The bottom line? Partners can trust HP and its product pipeline — PSG is not going anywhere, and HP is still one big, happy family. So what can partners expect from HP in 2012? Here’s what DiFranco laid out …

DiFranco said “PSG and HP are better together, [and we’re] glad to be with HP.” One of the main reasons HP decided to keep the PSG group was because of its channel partners, he noted. “Channel partners and customers saw a benefit in having an entire portfolio from one company. I’m proud about the fact that our channel partners drove this decision at the end of the day. We can get back on track and focus on selling across the [entire HP] portfolio.”

DiFranco laid out a prediction that by 2020 there will be 31 billion connected devices on the Internet, thanks to continuing innovations in technology. And no surprise here, HP plans on having a sizable share of those connected devices. That’s why DiFranco said HP is focusing on the following new products:

HP also plans on building mobile workstations — essentially beefy laptops that can become full-blown “work surfaces” thanks to a dock. New displays for digital signage and large, multitouch display arrays for new advertisements and interactive entertainment are coming soon, too. DiFranco also noted ultrabooks are on the horizon, custom-tailored for the business space.

But what of webOS? DiFranco said the tablet arena is a “challenging [market] for non-Apple products, and we need the right product. The webOS software team is still up and working and operating. A decision [will come] shortly.” The VAR Guy sensed some trepidation on DiFranco’s part, especially since he referenced HP’s focus to build Windows 8 tablets while discussing webOS tablets in the future.

But DiFranco closed with confidence, assuring attendees HP’s future is sound. As a former HP channel chief, DiFranco seemed heartfelt when he apologized to the Synnex partner community saying, “… Thanks for the patience.”

The VAR Guy predicts webOS will fade away, as HP shifts its efforts on ultrabooks and tablets that are built around the Windows 8 experience. Meanwhile, HP VARs should be excited to have a thick portfolio of products to choose from in 2012.