Technology - Resellers face anxious wait on Compaq deal.
The proposed takeover by Hewlett-Packard of Compaq leaves reseller companies looking at an uncertain future
Resellers face an anxious number of months while they wait to see whether Hewlett Packard’s proposed takeover of rival Compaq can go ahead. The surprise announcement of the companies’ intention to form a #59.7bn powerhouse caught a number of reselling companies on the hop.
However, distributors will have to wait until the #17bn all-share deal receives approval from shareholders, and is passed by the US regulatory authorities and the European Commission, which could take until the middle of next year.
Until then, both firms have said they will continue to compete against each other.
While both Carly Fiorina, chairman of HP, and Michael Capellas, chairman of Compaq, were reluctant to be drawn on their plans for the channel last week, both said they remained committed to it.
‘The work both companies have done to drive velocity through our channel partners is just remarkable,’ said Capellas.
Reaction from resellers to the announcement has mainly been positive but cautious, with most following a ‘wait and see’ policy.
Peter Dickson, managing director of HP reseller Tiedata, said: ‘It will open up doors and additional products where maybe HP hasn’t been so good in the past. The support will be OK short term – longer term there may be teething problems.’
However, Steve Brazier, chief executive of analyst firm Canalys.com, warned that many channel players would lose out if the deal went ahead.
‘This is bad news for many resellers because a lot of co-operative support the firms give for the channel is going to disappear. Many resellers will have to go,’ he said.
More on this at www.accountancyage.com/ IT/1125176.