Re: HP Buys Compaq

On Tuesday 04 September 2001 03:36 pm, Jim Damato wrote:

> I'm not sure where you're going with your point about HP3000 and HP9000
> servers.  No, I don't think they're in the same arena.  I had thought that
> the 3000 line's claim to fame was MPE (but I could be wrong), and the
> HP9000's run the range from entry-level a-class and l-class to high-end
> SuperDomes.  At any rate the HP9000's are largely Unix servers, and I was
> talking about back-end Windows servers.  I still think that one of the
> reasons HP had their eye on Compaq was to fill in their Windows server low
> to mid-range line.

I was just pointing out that HP had server-farm technology.

> I'm a little bit out of my league on this stuff, admittedly.  I jumped into
> this thread when Chuck referred to Compaq as a PC company.  I stand by my
> remarks on that point -- Compaq is a lot more diverse than most PC
> companies.

Diversity through acquisition. It was a very strong move on Compaq's part,
but I don't think it paid off. Obviously they had a great idea, get high end
technology to keep their customer base from needing to go elsewhere for high
end solutions since that led to bleed off of low end sales as well. But I
don't think Compaq has really had the hoped for success. I really think that
their history with this is a little forshadowing of the HP/Compaq future.

> As for why HP wants to buy Compaq, for the moment we're both speculating
> based on knowledge from different sources.  This all might be clarified in
> future press releases.  Remember, HP is run by a woman -- maybe she just
> decided to go shopping :)

Of course we're just speculating! It'll be that way till we're looking back
on their success/failure. I'm not sure how much we'll really be able to learn
from their press releases.

As to "going shopping", I sure wish I had her budget! ;-)

But as long as we are speculating: When this merger is finished and we have
another company out there the size of IBM, what happens if this company
courts Microsoft as their primary OS vendor? Wasn't that the concern of the
Compaq/DEC purchase? That it gave Microsoft entry into enterprise serving.
Well, if HP's plans are in this line, isn't this a much bigger threat?

> -Jim
>
> James P. Damato
> Manager - Technical Administration
> Dollar General Corporation
> <mailto:jdamato@dollargeneral.com>

--
Chris Rehm
javadisciple@earthlink.net
If you believe that the best technology wins the
marketplace, you haven't been paying attention.