Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard have agreed to invest jointly at
least $300 million over three years and work more closely
together to win over large business customers.
The two companies, the world's largest makers of software and
personal computers, respectively, said on Wednesday they plan to
work together to develop, test, validate or ensure that products
conform to standards and deploy new products, while also
collaborating on sales and marketing.
HP and Microsoft plan to extend their partnership into new
business areas to help large business customers incorporate new
technology including Internet-based communications, business
intelligence and collaboration software.
These new technologies represent an opportunity exceeding $50
billion in value, Microsoft said in a telephone news conference.
The alliance will integrate Microsoft's software with HP's
hardware and services for customers from large organizations.
The companies will also work together to establish a sales and
technical training program to certify more than 3,000 new
Microsoft-trained consultants at HP.