HP's Apotheker outlines its strategy

COMPUTER AND PRINTER MAKER HP has outlined its strategy for how it plans to become the global leader in Internet connected devices and services.

HP's CEO, Leo Apotheker revealed three areas that the company will be focusing on - cloud services, connectivity and software.

For cloud computing HP plans to build a complete cloud stack and aims to transition its customers to hybrid cloud environments. Apotheker claimed this will enable scalable increases in server provisioning and allow HP to create the most cost-efficient data centre offering.

For connectivity HP plans to expand to become the leading company, building upon successes like its connected printers, which come with WebOS. It ships two of these every second and intends to increase that figure in the future. WebOS will be the key to HP's connectivity strategy, with plans to deliver 100 million WebOS devices a year.

For software HP is looking at a "build, buy and partner" method, which will see it expanding its management, security and analytics software portfolios. The company highlighted its acquisitions, such as Vertica, suggesting that further buyouts and deals will be on the cards for 2011.

It was only last week that HP was forced to deny that it was looking to sell its PC business, but the fact that PCs weren't named as a headline priority in its latest strategy presentation might lead to further questions about what it plans to do with that major division.

However, HP remains the largest seller of PCs worldwide, so we doubt that's going to change any time soon. µ