The combination of generative AI, Windows 11 refresh and HP’s Poly acquisition will “create a great springboard” for HP’s channel partners, Neil Sawyer has asserted in his first interview as UK&I MD.
Sawyer was put in charge of HP’s UK&I operation in November, five months after rejoining the PC and print vendor from Lenovo.
In his first interview since taking the reins, Sawyer claimed “we’re at the point where we’re ushering in a new era of computing”.
Canalys recently forecast that 60% of PCs shipped by 2027 will be AI-capable, with HP earlier this month unveiling its new AI-powered Spectre x360 laptops at CES.
“A lot of people will say that generative AI brings the personal back into personal computing, and that it’s going to redesign how we interact and live with technology, as users, but also businesses,” Sawyer told IT Channel Oxygen.
“I think there’s a great opportunity for our channel community to look at end-user compute and define a strong proposition that’s oriented around key areas like generative AI.”
Sawyer added: “We have a big opportunity for growth outside of that in terms of some of the Microsoft Windows 11 programmes that will no doubt be accelerating over the next year or two.
“On top of that we’ve got a huge opportunity with our acquisition of Poly to accelerate the conversations and the business growth with our partners around collaboration and hybrid office, and mobile working as well.
“If you look at the next five-10 years, all of those themes provide a great springboard for our channel partners with HP.”
Amping up Amplify
Sawyer was talking to IT Channel Oxygen ahead of the global HP Amplify Partner Conference 2024 in March.
GenAI will unsurprisingly be a key theme at the event, Sawyer said, alongside what HP is doing to enable partners around services, and investments in its Amplify partner programme.
“Partners do a brilliant job of not just delivering technology into the hands of customers, but also supporting them. With HP’s Workforce Solutions division, we’re putting a lot of investment into channel partner-oriented services so they can expand on a global or domestic basis, or deliver certain specialist expertise,” he explained.
“Sustainability continues to be a big part of what we stand for within our partner engagement, and you’ll hear much more about what we’re doing in the Amplify programme space.”
Sawyer first joined HP as a 20-year-old and had an opportunity to return to the vendor in June 2023 as Global Head of Print Strategy.
“Over time there were some adjustments to the leadership structure in our North Western Europe business, and there was also a decision to have a full-time UK&I MD role. That role didn’t exist previously, until approximately six months into my rejoining of HP,” Sawyer stressed.
He concluded: “I don’t take this position lightly. Respecting those who work in the industry, whether that’s competition or partners or customers, is important.”
Doug Woodburn is editor of IT Channel Oxygen
