HP/Compaq is a leading provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and business. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services, and imaging and printing.

A $4 billion (U.S.) annual R&D investment fuels the invention of products, solutions and new technologies, in order to better serve customers and enter new markets.

The new HP is the result of a May 3, 2002, merger with Compaq Computer Corporation. The merged company would have had combined revenue of approximately $81.7 billion (U.S.) in fiscal 2001, with operations in more than 160 countries.

How HP is organized

The four core business groups of the new HP are:

• Enterprise Systems Group (ESG)—ESG focuses on providing the key technology components of enterprise IT infrastructure to enhance business agility, including enterprise storage, servers, management software and a variety of solutions.
• Imaging and Printing Group (IPG)—HP is the leading provider of printing and imaging solutions for both business and consumer use. IPG includes printer hardware, all-in-ones, digital imaging devices such as cameras and scanners, and associated supplies and accessories. It also is expanding into the commercial printing market.
• HP Services (HPS)—HP Services is a premier, global IT services team. It offers guidance, know-how and a comprehensive portfolio of services to help customers realize measurable business value from their IT investments.
• Personal Systems Group (PSG)—PSG focuses on supplying simple, reliable and affordable personal-computing solutions and devices for home and business use, including desktop PCs, notebooks, workstations, thin clients, smart handhelds and personal devices.

In addition to the four business groups, HP Labs provides a central research function for the company. HP Labs is focused on inventing new technologies that change markets and create business opportunities.

Company History

HP was incorporated in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard—two Stanford University engineering graduates who decided the company's name with a coin toss. Read more about company history and notable products.