|
 Gerhard
Schiele, marketing manager-commercial desktops, Business
PC Asia Pacific, Hewlett-Packard Far East in conversation
with Shipra Arora discusses the company's recently
unveiled Concept PC II, an R&D initiative which offers separate
personal and computing elements
How would you describe HP's concept PC II?
HP's 'Concept PC II' is basically a concept PC like concept
cars. A joint effort by and Intel, Concept PC II demonstrates
the possibilities of future commercial computing and is a
precursor to what PCs will be in future. In this way it represents
a logical step towards transforming R&D into products.
Separation of personal and computing elements and concentration
of future proof technologies form the core features of this
concept PC. While the personal element caters to end-user
benefits, the computing element takes care of all the IT benefits.
End-user benefits include a complete toolkit, comfort and
flexibility, while IT benefits include control, power and
investment protection. It also offers the most powerful computing
technologies like the Intel P4 processor, Microsoft Windows
XP Pro and wireless technologies such as Bluetooth.
How did the idea for Concept PC II originate?
The business environment and needs of customers change very
rapidly. There was a need to cater to these changing requirements.
Hence, we took feedback from our customers on their product
needs. The response was taken in terms of end-user requirements
and IT manager's requirements. The end-user requirements we
captured included the need for desk space, silence and style,
a complete tool kit, comfort and flexibility. What is important
for the user is the screen, information on screen and data.
Thus, another important feature for them is to make the PC
transparent. From the IT manager's perspective, the needs
included a measure on total cost of ownership, more control
on systems, more power for the manager and investment protection.
With these needs in mind, HP's engineers designed Concept
PC II. It saves space, increases positioning flexibility and
enhances security. For IT staff there is increased control
through a separate, sealed and cluster-ready computing element.
At the same time it contributes to an aesthetically pleasing
and ergonomic work environment with a high-tech sophisticated
design.
What is the essence of your technology
in transformation?
Technology in transformation means turning today into tomorrow
and technology into products. However, it does not mean innovation
for the sake of mere innovation, which does not make any sense
or does not cater to any of our customer requirements. HP
exists to provide something useful and significant for their
lives--something that meets their needs. Hence, the essence
of HP's technology in transformation lies in translating needs
into ideas and then transforming technology and R&D into
products that provide value. That is the reason why Concept
PC II is different from our original concept PC. The original
concept included many features, which were desirable, but
were not practical enough to implement.
What is your roadmap for Concept PC II from here on?
At present, the product is being launched all across the world.
The next step from here is to showcase the product to various
sections including industry, media and user segments. We will
then collect feedback and responses from them and incorporate
it into what will form the final product, which will then
be available commercially in market. Hence, the final product
may well turn out to be somewhat different from the current
Concept PC II. The process of collecting feedback and evolving
the final product will take around 8 months before it is commercially
launched across the globe.
Can you tell us something more about the Vectra vl420 which
you have commercially launched?
The
HP Vectra vl420 is a PC with P4 performance at mainstream
price, innovative design and improved serviceability. On the
whole, it is a compact yet powerful PC. Innovative features
and tools allow the customer to reduce PC lifecycle cost through
comprehensive deployment, management support solutions. Some
of the features how to cool the P4, ultra small form factor,
how to make PC more disappear--in these two product offerings
have been taken from the original concept PC.
|
