Europe should be leading in technology innovation

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This week, HP held its annual Technology@Work conference in Frankfurt. Whilst some vendors have cut back on their events, HP had around 3,500 people attending sessions over the three days.

Then again, since its acquisition of EDS, HP is now the world’s largest IT company, and the only one whose product portfolio spans PDAs and smartphones – the iPaq line – to professional services and outsourcing.

Europe is now a very important market for HP, but also a tough one. In its last results, published in February, the company reported a one per cent improvement in turnover, albeit after three quarters of declines.

The improving commercial position must be welcome news for Jan Zadak, who took over as HP’s head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) two weeks ago.

HP is currently in a closed period, so Zadak is not able to talk about numbers. However, he was able to give IT PRO some insights into his vision for HP, and on the role technology should be playing in Europe.

According to Zadak, there is a real opportunity for Europe to play a leading role in information technology. European companies, for example, are highly innovative when it comes to environmental technologies.

They are also setting the agenda when it comes to green computing, and reducing the carbon footprint of IT. Green issues are becoming important again, Zadak believes, after being pushed down the agenda by the harsh economic situation. But in areas such as sustainable energy, and smart grids, interest is reviving.

Europe’s strong skills base and education system is one reason it can innovate in complex fields such as green energy, Zadak says. But he also believes that within Europe, we could do more to exploit the benefits offered by information technology.

That might not be a radical message to come from an IT vendor, but Zadak singles out government as the sector that could benefit most from investment. “They have the opportunity to substantially better leverage IT," he said. "Health care, for example, is between six and 14 per cent of GDP, so a one per cent saving in GDP is possible. IT is one means to give a substantial benefit back to the community.”

With governments across EMEA planning cuts to reduce their defecits, it will be interesting to see whether Zadak’s opinion finds support in official circles, or is viewed as mere vendor speak. It would be wrong to dismiss his views that quickly.

Stephen Pritchard is a contributing editor at IT PRO.

Comments? Questions? You can email him here.

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