Several surveys have highlighted the advance of telecom providers into the cloud computing service market. Both Pyramid Research and Infonetics Research have released studies showing that carriers are embracing cloud computing as a key corporate strategy and that they are placed in a prime position to take advantage of that growing market.
As carriers enter this market across the Latin American region, technology providers are aiming to become their partners. Under this business model, telecom companies team up with technology providers, so they are able to integrate solutions and sell those as a service or via cloud computing. “Carriers have provided HP cloud services to small and medium-sized businesses,” Alexis Langagne, HP Mexico’s general manager, told RCR Wireless News during the HP Discover event (check all stories) earlier this month.
HP has worked hard on developing its cloud computing offerings. Last April, the company launched HP Cloud Services, its first generation of public cloud infrastructure, platform services and cloud solutions; and the HP Converged Cloud, which offers organizations a single-sourced, hybrid delivery solution that spans traditional IT as well as private, managed and public clouds.
When partnering with carriers, HP aims to reach the SMB market and expand geographically. From the carriers’ perspective, it makes sense to enhance their corporate strategy. “Telecom providers are entering new segments, looking to provide more sophisticated services. Some of them are working with HP,” said Gustavo Adolfo Gómez López, director at HP Software in Mexico, without disclosing the carriers’ names.
In addition, HP has partnered with management software providers such as SAP and Microsoft to add one more layer to its cloud solutions.
Latin America’s share
Speaking with RCR Wireless, HP executives responsible for the Latin American region noted that operations have developed in the Latin America. “The region has grown above the average market growth rate, and with Brazil, which represents around 52% of HP’s Latam operations, still emerging and growing, it accelerates our growth,” noted Carlos Diaz, director of the HP Storage division for Latin America and the Caribbean.
While Brazil represents about half of its Latam business, Mexico represents less than 30%. Diaz also highlighted that there are smaller countries which have emerged and become important to HP’s strategy. “The number one is Colombia, followed by Peru. HP has a strong presence in both these countries, and with this, we can better capture opportunities,” Diaz said.
Mexico, as Langagne highlighted, contributes to HP’s global operations with about $2 billion in services and products. This is not an exact number as the company does not disclose sales or revenues split by country. Mexican operations have increased over the past two years above the average market growth rate, with some specific segments growing at three times the rate.
As an example, Langagne said HP sold its biggest private cloud project to the Mexican state-owned petroleum company, Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex).
HP provided travel expenses to this event.
