For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, channel partners and analysts were invited to attend the HP Amplify Executive Forum 2022 dealer channel event live and in person. It was an event packed with senior executives from HP, including all the way at the top with President and CEO Enrique Lores, Acting Chief Commercial Officer Luciana Broggi, President of Printing & Solutions Tuan Tran and SVP of Global Channel Organization Kobi Elbaz. HP’s progress over the last two years, recent technology and market trends, and what the future has in store for the company were all topics of discussion. The three-leg, international event made its first of three stops in Palo Alto, California. HP took the show across the pond and then some a week later, with a stop in Amsterdam and Dubai.
Enrique Lores kicking off the event
HP Amplify Partner Program Enhancements
It has been two years since HP launched its HP Amplify partner program. The program is centered around leveraging customer data to unlock new opportunities and improve customer experience. According to HP, 98% of partners are sharing data, providing the company with 14 billion data points to analyze and help dealers capitalize on opportunities that are invisible to the human eye. “HP’s success relies heavily on the strength of our channel partners. Over the past year alone, our partners helped drive more than $6 billion dollars in revenue growth,” said Kobi Elbaz.
Kobi Elbaz talks “channel”
At the Forum, HP announced enhancements to the program. Based on feedback from channel partners, HP will lean on advanced analytics to provide even more insights into customers. The company has developed new tools that integrate with its partners’ sales systems, enriching the data and insights that HP can harvest. The company is also launching the HP Curiocity training program, providing dealers with enhanced training, community engagement, and rewards in the new program.
HP also announced it would expand its Amplify Impact program across all markets globally. The program is a partner assessment, resource, and training program focused on social issues, including climate action, human rights, and digital equity. Currently, over 10,000 partners spread across 43 countries participate in the program. According to HP, the company made $3.5 billion in new sales in 2021 “where sustainability was a deciding factor”, so it’s obvious why the company wants to expand the program globally – social issues and in particular, sustainability is a powerful selling point. The company will also issue awards in five categories – Amplify Impact Global Leader Award, Sustainability Business Award, Climate Action Award, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy Award and HP LIFE Award – to recognize partners who go above and beyond.
James McCall, Chief Sustainability Officer, shows us the green
HP Instant Ink and HP+
According to HP, 80 percent of small businesses rely on printing, yet 55% don’t have the time to manage the technology. To remedy this, HP announced HP Instant Ink for small businesses and two series of HP+-enabled LaserJet Pro 3000 and 4000 series MFPs.
With an Instant Ink for small businesses subscription, SMBs can automate the process of replenishing supplies. Each month, subscribers receive device-specific ink and toner for multiple devices spread across multiple locations, and pay for it through a single invoice. The program is designed to ensure workers never run out of ink and toner as well as simplify billing.
HP says that with the HP LaserJet Pro 3000 and 4000 series with HP+ enabled, SMBs can simplify print processes and device management tasks as well as harden their security posture, all while giving back to the environment. HP+-enabled LaserJet Pro 3000 and 4000 series MFPs can detect when it’s low on toner and request more automatically, and customers can recycle their used cartridges through the HP Planet Partners program. Meanwhile, the HP+ Smart Admin Dashboard enables administrators to manage their fleet of printers remotely, and provides a view of their fleet’s health and usage. Smart Security features provide real-time security updates. HP+ also enables “follow the user” pull printing, so users can release their print jobs on any HP+ enabled device in any location.
The Hybrid Office and the Future of Work
The hybrid office is a big part of HP’s strategy moving forward. HP announced several new products to enable the hybrid office, including tablets, All-in-One computers, and web cameras to enhance remote conferencing experiences.
- The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 packs the power of a laptop into a tablet. The device includes several features to improve conferencing experiences for remote workers. An 8MP camera with a 100 degree field of view and HP Auto Frame technology makes it easy for workers to be seen during conferences. Meanwhile, HP Dynamic Voice Leveling and AI-based background noise reduction technology helps ensure that workers are heard, and mitigates intrusive background noises from ruining meetings.
- HP 34” All-in-One PC supports several features that optimize remote collaboration experiences. Dual video streaming and camera switching are supported, so users can use one camera to stream their face, and another to show handwritten notes on their desk or a whiteboard in the background. Users can mount and adjust multiple cameras on the monitor’s bevel, allowing workers to get the best angles of the shot they need.
What did we think?
The hybrid office and future of work is going to play a big role in shaping HP’s future. In its print business, HP is focusing on hardening devices and enabling businesses to simplify the task of managing increasingly distributed fleets. Meanwhile, the company is focusing a lot of time and energy into growing new revenue streams outside of print. HP is bringing new remote conference and hybrid office technology to market, ensuring the channel has a portfolio that is relevant to its customers’ needs. HP had $6 billion in revenue coming from the channel last year. With the latest enhancements to the program, we anticipate that HP’s channel revenue will continue to grow.
More Scenes from the Event
Great panel with (from left to right: George Brasher, Global Head and General Manager – Printing Category, Alex Cho, President, Personal Systems, Ernest Nicolas, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Luciana Broggi, Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Enrique Lores, President & Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Elbaz, General Manager, Global Channel Organization
Tuan Tran, President of Printing & Solutions gives an NDA briefing to select industry analysts
HP mixed up some pretty magical cocktails at the swanky evening event hosted for their channel partners
A night-time glimpse into the actual offices, carefully preserved, of founders Bill Hewlett and David Packard at the HP campus in Palo Alto
Mugging for the camera with Andy Slawetsky
Patricia Ames is president and senior analyst for BPO Media, which publishes The Imaging Channel and Workflow magazines. As a market analyst and industry consultant, Ames has worked for prominent consulting firms including KPMG and has more than 15 years experience in the imaging industry covering technology and business sectors. Ames has lived and worked in the United States, Southeast Asia and Europe and enjoys being a part of a global industry and community.