HP broadens services deal with Accenture

Hewlett-Packard on Tuesday expanded an alliance with professional services giant Accenture as part of ongoing efforts to bulk up HP's recently revamped services arm.

Building on a three-year partnership, HP and Accenture are working together to help joint customers migrate and upgrade from their old computer systems to newer technology such as Internet-based applications. The two companies want to offer clients services that will make this process faster and easier, and will also provide help with integrating computer systems and software.

The move follows the recent launch of HP Services, a new division based on fueling the growth of HP's technology services business. Longtime HP executive Ann Livermore was named president of the new operating unit in charge of boosting the computing giant's activities in areas such as consulting, outsourcing and support.

Many analysts have been expecting HP to form closer ties with third-party services providers. This would help it extend beyond providing support and services for its own technology and products and reach other lucrative areas of services such as outsourcing and management consulting.

HP's relationship with Accenture had centered on large implementations of business management software--applications that manage various business activities such as human resources, manufacturing and financials. To date, the partners have worked on 15 projects together.