- Hewlett-Packard Company Web Site
- EDS Web Site
- More information on the EDS/Cisco Strategic Alliance
- More information on the HP/Cisco Strategic Alliance
PLANO, Texas -- November 3, 1998 -- EDS, Cisco Systems, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company today announced an electronic-business alliance, led by EDS' Electronic Business unit, that will provide a single source for establishing a Web-based business. This collaborative effort focuses on business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications, helping clients realize significant time savings and reduced start-up costs to do business on the Web.
This "one stop shopping" will combine EDS' premier consulting and systems-integration capabilities, world-class Internet networking solutions from Cisco, and the powerful security of HP servers and software.
EDS also will deploy a global solutions center with HP and Cisco that will offer joint testing and integration of electronic-business service offerings. "This could be the 'dream team' of electronic business," said Paul Rudolph, president of the Electronic Business unit at EDS. "Collectively, we have the expertise and the tools to completely change the way a business moves its goods and services from the industrial age to the digital age. Our companies are already providing successful solutions spanning all industries, which differentiates us from other Web teams in the marketplace."
EDS and HP set new records at the World Cup France 98.com site, setting a daily record of 74 million hits on June 30, 1998, demonstrating the enormous impact of Web commerce and Web-based offerings at the World Cup Store. The multi-lingual store, launched in just two months, shipped 400 types of World Cup goods to 55 countries and operated in 11 world currencies.
"A successful Internet commerce recipe includes not only strong technology and platforms, but solid integration of back-end systems," said Melissa Bane, program manager, Internet Market Strategies with the Yankee Group.
"Competitive players don't have time to shop around for the various providers and then determine if they can and will work together. Alliances such as this allow one-stop shopping for competitive Internet commerce hopefuls. Time to market and quality of technology are a necessity to lower costs, increase revenues, reach new markets and gain a competitive advantage."
The applications use the proven delivery record of the EDS Electronic Business unit. Successful implementations of the EDS Web Commerce Services offering include these business-to-business and business-to-consumerapplications:
Industrial Products Distribution: Enables distributors to more accurately and efficiently process orders while increasing customer satisfaction. Recent data indicates a 300 percent increase in new orders for some steel distributors using the service. In one case, turnaround time on orders dramatically decreased from two weeks to three days; and
Procurement: Improves purchasing practices while reducing administrative costs -allowing large companies, school districts and government agencies to use Web-based catalogs to buy everything from office supplies to computer equipment.
The initial business-to-consumer applications include the following:
Financial: Enables the quick creation of Internet retail-banking and bill-presentment Web sites, permitting customers to take care of banking needs from the convenience of home or office;
Sports/Entertainment: Creates an electronic storefront environment that allows organizers of major sporting and entertainment events to sell tickets, promotional items and provide a source of event, team and personnel news;
The Employee Store: Provides a convenient means for employees to purchase discounted products and services through their corporate intranet - from corporate recognition items to steaks and flowers; and Customized Services: Web-enabled services may include EDI services, real-time inventory control, credit-card authorization, automating shipping and tax-calculation charges, and audio and video applications for "live" training or customer service.
"By migrating business functions to the Internet, businesses are increasing revenues, decreasing expenses, speeding time to market and forming tighter links to customers," said Steve Behm, vice president of Strategic Alliances at Cisco Systems. "Our collaborative work with EDS and HP is aimed at developing secure and robust Internet business solutions quickly and easily."
"Performing business over the Web is becoming a strategic component in the success of a company's business," said Nigel Ball, general manager of HP's Internet and Applications Systems Division. "HP, EDS and Cisco are helping enterprise customers expand their Web-commerce offerings through integrated, tested and customized solutions that reduce the complexity and time involved in deploying business over the Internet."
About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 127,200 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.About EDS
The Electronic Business unit of EDS is focused on moving EDS customers into the global digital economy and helping to transform their business processes. This organization applies an array of electronic business technologies to enable companies to create and fulfill demand, and performs the Internet services to support these activities. Business offerings range from digital supply chain management to legacy transformation services. More information is available at http://www.eds.com/eb.EDS, the official information services provider for World Cup 1998, is a leader in the global information services industry. The company's more than 110,000 employees specialize in applying a range of ideas and technologies to help business and government customers improve their economics, products, services and relationships. EDS, which serves customers in 44 countries, reported revenues of $15.2 billion in 1997. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
