Todd Bradley, executive vice president of HP's Personal Systems Group, wants customers to know that even if HP sells off PSG, their product warranties and support won't be affected.
In fact, HP will remain committed to servicing and supporting customers no matter what course of action it decides to take with PSG, Bradley said in an e-mail sent to customers Monday. "The warranties provided with our PC products and services will be honored regardless of PSG’s future ownership status," Bradley said in the e-mail.
In last week's Q3 earnings call, HP stunned the technology industry by revealing that it's looking into a potential spin-off or sale of PSG, a $40 billion unit that accounted for nearly one-third of the company's fiscal 2010 revenue. HP also deep-sixed the newest members of its PSG product family, the HP TouchPad, and the Pre3 and Veer smartphones.
"While the range of what HP may choose to do is wide -- from a spinoff to shareholders, to a sale, to retaining the business within HP as is with no change -- the fact is that we will make this decision with the express goal to make PSG stronger and to continue to serve your needs uninterrupted," Bradley said in the e-mail.
Arlin Sorensen, CEO of Heartland Technology Solutions, a top HP Midwest partner, wasn't thrilled when he first heard about HP's plans for PSG but doesn't expect it to negatively impact his partnership. "It's business as usual. We'll continue to sell and support HP products in our markets," he said. "If I had any doubts about the direction, we definitely would not be doing that."
Added Sorensen: "I can’t say I am happy with the way they have communicated this -- it is causing a lot of issues for us in terms of how we take care of customers -- but I am confident that Todd [Bradley] and the management team will take care of us in the channel."
The "business as usual" theme was also evident in Bradley's letter to customers. "From your account team, to the support personnel on hand to help when you need it, to the thousands of people who ensure you have a superior experience with HP every day, we are here for you today and will be here tomorrow."
Bradley also insisted that HP's shopping of PSG doesn't indicate any change in its strategic direction for the business unit. "Our roadmaps for future products haven’t changed. We will be even more aggressive in bringing technology to market. Our relationships with our technology and supply chain partners haven’t changed," he said in the email.
Meanwhile, Bradley on Monday also shot down recent speculation that he's looking to leave HP as soon as possible. "My intent is to work through this process with HP's board," Bradley said in an interview with CNBC. "There are plenty of ridiculous rumors on the Internet that are all unfounded."
