HP to ditch EDS brand

HP bought EDS in 2008 for $13.9bn

HP is to rename recently-acquired EDS. The company will be rebranded as HP Enterprise Services and will keep its current line of business. Additionally, HP said that it will be renaming its own technology solutions group as HP Enterprise Business.

First established in 1962 by Ross Perrot as Electronic Data Systems, EDS had kept the name for nearly 50 years as the firm gained prominence as an IT services provider.

HP hopes that with the rebranding, the company can complete the integration of EDS into its own corporate line.

“Our clients expect us to harness the full power of HP’s portfolio to solve their business challenges,” said Joe Eazor, senior vice president and general manager of the newly-named HP Enterprise Services.

"Today we are combining the strong services brand equity that EDS has built over the last 47 years with HP’s technology leadership to become the leading IT services provider."

HP purchased EDS for some $13.9bn last summer in hopes of boosting its IT services and outsourcing operations. The acquisition was the company's largest acquisition since 2002's Compaq merger.

In the months since the deal was finalised, both HP and EDS have faced a bumpy road which has included layoffs and salary cuts at the company.