HP lays out restructuring plans

HP is planning to merge its software and consulting branches

HP is laying out plans to reorganise its enterprise software division, following the news that 25,000 staff will lose their jobs over the next three years.

In a memo sent out to employees, HP senior vice president of software Tom Hogan outlined an executive reshuffle as well as the integration of the company's software branch with its consulting and integration operation.

The software branch will be rebranded 'HP Software and Solutions' to better reflect the combined operation.

"As our customers and the marketplace continue to seek solutions to pressing business challenges and opportunities, we believe this is the right time to rebrand our organisation," Hogan told employees.

Leaving the company will be Ben Horowitz, head of business technology optimisation (BTO) and former chief executive of Opsware.

Horowitz will be replaced by Robin Purohit, who will oversee both the BTO operation and HP's software information management unit.

The company will also combine its communications, media and entertainment branch with its OpenCall operation.

The combined group will be known as the Communications and Media Solutions unit and will be run by former Alcatel executive Erwan Menard.

Part of the consulting and integration team will join HP's lifecycle management programme, which will be rebranded as 'Service and Support'. This group will be led by Andy Isherwood.

The remainder of the consulting and integration outfit will join the company's Neoview operation to form a branch known as HP Business Intelligence Solutions.

The operation will be headed up by Christina Robinson, a former vice president of sales and consulting for HP's imaging and printing group.