Partners play key role in HP’s strategies | #HPDiscover #HPEDiscover by Heather Johnson | Jun 4, 2015 As laid out in the keynotes during HP Discover Day 1, alliances are a key part of HP’s strategy to strengthen its partner community. HP is reworking its product approach to address key transformations taking place in hybrid IT, analytics, mobility and security. “Our whole approach is HP-plus-partners,” Duncan Campbell, senior director of WW Alliances Marketing for HP, told theCUBE during HP Discover 2015. “Our partners are already leading in innovation in these transformation areas. They will be part of the innovation engine that is so critical for success.” Improving communications with partners HP plans to improve communication with its partners and address some of its longstanding concerns. “They have had two primary asks for years,” said Mike O’Neill, VP of WW Alliances Enterprise Group for HP’s Enterprise Group. “First, operate as one HP. Come to us from one centerpoint. Second, make it easy to engage. From a partner perspective, our transformational solution approach will further enable their ability to take these solutions to market at a pace we haven’t been able to before.” O’Neill also said that HP is optimistic about its relationship with Aruba Networks, Inc., a leading provider of next-generation network access solutions for the mobile enterprise. HP signed an agreement to acquire the company in early March. The deal closed in May. “We’re bringing some innovation to the table with Aruba,” said O’Neill. “Combining our expertise is a natural.” At the same time, Campbell said that the partners are optimistic about the synergy between groups. “Over a trillion dollars of market opportunity will get the blood pumping,” he said. @theCUBE #HPDiscover