Hewlett Packard Versus IBM: The Poobah Viewpoint
June 18, 2013
I read “Hewlett Packard Can’t Afford to Let Competition Keep Winning.” I thought the title should be, “HP Is a Loser and Lunch for IBM” or “HP: The Deer in IBM’s Headlights.” I found the write up more about the wonderfulness of IBM and its prescient executives than about the proud owner of Autonomy and marketer of Haven.
In my opinion, here’s the key passage from the write up:
HP was overmatched because it didn’t see IBM’s move for what it was and accordingly adjust its event to appear competitive. This is the second time this year I’ve seen HP choose to ignore what IBM said to an influential audience and, as a result, appear out of step. Marketing, not individual product groups or the office of the CEO, drove the message at IBM Edge. IBM came to Las Vegas to do battle, while HP came to give executives face time. This was like bringing a knife to a gun fight.
One quite remarkable revelation in the analysis of the seemingly hapless HP was a discussion of Watson. Watson, as I like to point out, won a game show. After cracking problems in health care, Watson is working in food service. Fascinating résumé for a smart search engine.
The write up makes this point about “taking Watson to the next level”:
Each Watson use case has significant global implications that could improve quality of life and prevent a variety of significant problems.
Use cases? The write up does not mention Jeopardy. But the write up points out that Wellpoint can save lives with Watson. No facts were offered to support this point, but I am sure there is ample evidence available. Also, Watson can improve cyber security. Again, not much detail was available, but the assertion seems possible. The Pew Charitable Trusts are using Watson with “other IBM technologies” to reduce maybe/possibly election fraud. I presume IBM’s Big Data technologies would help deliver the bacon.
I find this type of analysis fascinating. On one hand, the arguments sound so darned reasonable. On the other, the facts are in short supply.
HP and IBM, in my opinion, are worthy competitors. A consulting firm which is downsizing and a struggling ink vendor make an interesting enterprise dust up.
Stephen E Arnold, June 18, 2013
Sponsored by Xenky, the portal to ArnoldIT
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