Hewlett-Packard Financing

As the Internet evolves to provide even higher levels of service and convenience, businesses will need the necessary financing and technological infrastructure to make the most of inherent opportunities. For newer companies entering the fray, the need for capital is only the beginning. Internet start-ups may also need access to legal and marketing expertise, support in designing and managing a robust IT infrastructure, and help recruiting and retaining qualified staff. For many Internet companies, this support will ideally come through an established partner with whom they have a strong, long-term relationship. This topic was discussed in detail on the World Busniness Review, show #735, titled "Financing the Internet Economy."

Through its many programs for both established companies moving their businesses to the Internet and the younger dot-coms, Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) offers help in many of these areas. HP is a leading provider of technology hardware, software and services that help customers design, build and deploy highly-available, secure and scalable Internet infrastructures. HP is also a leading provider of the Internet on-ramps and off-ramps - appliances such as PCs, printers, digital cameras and hand-held devices. Through its $6billion financing arm, HP also provides a number of innovative financing models that have been designed specifically for Internet companies. Since the beginning of 1999, HP has made commitments to Internet companies of more than $1 billion through its innovative financing programs.

Craig White, president of HP Credit Corporation and general manager of Technology Finance, appears on General Alexander Haig’s World Business Review to discuss the tremendous opportunities and challenges facing today’s Internet & technology companies. Joining them are El St. John, founder and CEO of SilverTech; Bucky Kilbourne, chairman of the Board and CEO of The viaLink Company, and Cos Santullo, CEO and president of Mirror Image Internet. Also appearing on the show, industry expert Glenn Osaka, managing director of Redleaf Group, L.L.C., an Internet holding company actively engaged in business-to-business, (or B2B), eCommerce, through a growing network of partner companies.

SilverTech’s El St. John discusses the challenges faced by parents in protecting their children from unwanted influences. Ms. St. John states, "Over the past three years, SilverTech has developed and patented a new configuration and design that includes encrypted technology to create private Internet engines. These engines store vast amounts of content in a safe and protected environment. The first application of these engines is the creation of the EKIDS Internet. The engine and content run on a very powerful HP-UX platform that resides in a secure location in California."

Bucky Kilbourne, viaLink, describes the need for increased efficiencies in retail and food service distribution, and addressesd three important aspects: people, process and technology. viaLink provides an inexpensive e-service that allows its customers (companies that make up the retail distribution channel) to revolutionize their supply chain management process. Over the past year, viaLink has engaged as clients large corporations such as Kraft Foods, and developed partnerships with HP, i2 Technologies and Cap Gemini EY.

According to Glenn Osaka, "Even just a few years ago having a presence or a connection to the Internet was ‘nice to have.’ These days, if you don’t already have a robust Internet strategy in place you’re in trouble."

Cos Santullo of Mirror Image Internet explains the challenges facing today’s Internet experience. With the proliferation of websites, users and B2B applications, too much content is being squeezed into too small a pipeline. To solve this problem, the company is deploying an open network of robust and intelligent Content Access Points™ (CAPs) around the world. Each CAP is built from Mirror Image best-of-breed patented technology, as well as state-of-the-art equipment from top vendors, including HP.

When choosing Internet partners, HP looks for certain important attributes in a company:
• A quality management team and board of directors that share a common vision with HP - a vision of a world where e-services are delivered to appliances of any kind through an always-on Internet infrastructure.
• A differentiated product or services - especially in highly-competitive landscapes.
• Advanced technology and a robust product roadmap.
• A desire to work with HP as lifelong, successful partners.

One such company is Adamation. A 16-year-old company, Adamation’s flagship product is called personalStudio, a digital media-editing tool. personalStudio™ allows a user to add special effects and titles to their media to create customized videos.

Craig White states that in working with Adamation, Mirror Image Internet, SilverTech and viaLink, HP provides technology hardware, software and services, and financial support. Perhaps, more significantly, HP’s support is critical to the ability of these companies to thrive.

Bucky Kilbourne described it this way, "It wouldn’t be possible for us to build and deploy our e-service and our syncLink solution without help from a visionary company like HP. HP not only provides the platform that powers our e-service, but it is also providing professional, support and financing services."