HP Expansion Includes Channel Partner Cloud Opportunities

The Hewlette-Packard (HP) CloudSystem Partner Program was recently initiated. The channel partner program is structured to provide help for sales partners that will better allow them to take advantage of industry cloud marketing options and prospects.

Leo Apotheker, the new company CEO, expects sales growth for the company to decrease four percent in 2011. In light of this, he is putting focused effort in designing and implementing Cloud Centers of Excellence. This cloud computing service is intended to provide software developers with the ability to write, test, and run applications utilizing HP tools. Utilizing this technology, sales partners will have the possibility of revamping their facilities to feature cloud solution demonstrations.

The program will supply channel partners with the ability to create and maintain cloud solutions along all mediums: public, private, and hybrid models. Participants in the channel program will also be allowed to utilize other HP products, including TippingPoint, 3PAR, and CloudMaps.

3PAR is a data storage firm and was purchased by HP last year for $2.1 billion. The purchase took place after an almost 3 week bidding-war with Dell. Bloomberg, a financial news site, noted that it was “the most expensive valuation for any computer takeover greater than $500 million.”

Vice president of channel sales for HP, Frank Rauch noted, “Our partners play a strategic role in building and delivering cloud solutions for customers.” He added, “Working with HP, channel partners can quickly build cloud practices today and develop new business models that take advantage of the massive cloud opportunity moving forward.”

While working toward innovative advancements in cloud technology, HP will also strive to enhance its channel partners’ position in promoting and selling HP products to customers. Working toward these goals, the day is coming when partners will have the opportunity to market HP products, such as HP Critical Advantage and HP Cloud Discovery Workshop.

In the expansion mode, Bloomberg advised that HP might look into taking over other software companies in a strategy to compete with rivals in the cloud computing arena. Three potential takeover prospects are Informatica Corp, Tibco Software, Inc., and Red Hat Inc, reports Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Fund manager for Fifth Third Asset Management Mark Demos told Bloomberg “They [HP] need growth. They need to be relevant in where the technology landscape is heading. People would agree that maybe IBM, Oracle, other companies are perhaps better positioned than them.”