Following #HPEDiscover a few weeks ago, the biggest technology event for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and our partners, I wanted to share the following story regarding one of the best and most innovative OEM solutions and customers I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with, Konica Minolta.
In 2015 the HPE OEM Global Business Unit, led by Phil Cutrone and supported by Allan Mugu, identified a potential net new OEM opportunity that proposed a solution which would be first to market and revolutionize the Multi-Function Printer (MFP) market. Transforming the use of the 1m x 1m space, currently used for just print services, into a Hybrid IT edge enabled device for the connected workplace of the future.
Dennis Curry is the innovator and creator of the Workplace hub concept and portfolio. Leveraging Konica Minolta’s success and reputation within the traditional MFP market, he held the vision to expand a static product, used only for print and file services, to a cloud enabled Hybrid IT platform that would allow SMB’s, large corporates and key vertical customers in Industrial markets to consume IT services at reduced costs by leveraging the economics of scale offered from Konica Minolta’s technology landscape.
I was appointed Global lead in the acquisition and development of Konica Minolta with full account responsibility, governance and coordination. I assembled a globally distributed and multi-discipline team consisting of; regional sales, sales operations, technologists, supply chain, legal, engineering and program management.
Moving the team from a pure product and solution focus we aligned with Konica Minolta’s strategy of business transformation to ensure we were the best technology partner to support them in their journey as described by company CEO Yamana-San.
Our teams worked closely in partnership and leveraging cross functional support from VP level executives throughout the both organizations; aligning respective peers, strategies and technologies, the team was successful in securing the largest OEM contract to date.
With the contract signed, HPE will be working in partnership with Konica Minolta to realize their flagship WorkPlace Hub solution.
With the successful launch of the Workplace Hub, HPE is now expanding its partnership and will also be partnering with Konica Minolta in the provision of Hybrid IT Infrastructure solutions, Enterprise Software, Professional Services, platform management and operations. This will enable the next generation of AI-powered Cognitive Hub workplaces of the future.
It has been a truly amazing journey for the HPE team to work in partnership with Konica Minolta and support them in bringing their initial market offering of the Workplace hub to market. In recognition of this I would like to thanks the following people from Konica Minolta but recognize this is only a few of the many people who have made this happen.
The spirit of true partnership is in our DNA, HPE supported its partner, Konica Minolta, to ensure they could bring their product to market on time and within budget. Again the team within HPE was significant and the following represents only a selection of the key people who made this happen but as with all projects of this size it’s the team in the background who are the enablers.