Back-to-Back Offerings from H-P

Hewlett-Packard Co.’s ( HPQ - Analyst Report ) new products are not limited to PCs alone. Yesterday, H-P launched a web-enabled viewer aimed at publishing houses to help them add zest to their publications. The page can only be viewed through HP MagCloud, which is a web-service dedicated to publishers that can upload and distribute content over the web on their own. The publishers can also choose to make their content free or paid.

The web viewer will allow readers to select content, read, share and buy a printed publication or a PDF copy. Apart from this, readers can use the web-viewer for all types of MagCloud publications, irrespective of their format via Internet on their tablet, PC or smartphone. Also, with the hyperlink option, publishers and readers can navigate to related web-pages and draft e-mails as per requirements.

In a way, we can say that HP MagCloud users will experience the benefits of eBook readers such as the ones from key players like Amazon.com Inc. ( AMZN - Analyst Report ) and Barnes & Nobel ( BKS - Snapshot Report ) . We think that the introduction of the web-viewer could boost the deployment of MagCloud.

Apart from this, H-P also extended the scope of its customer communications management (CCM) solution, HP Exstreme. In order to deliver ultimate customer streaming experience, the company has added features like SmartVideo and digital mailbox. With SmartVideo, users will be able to share video-content through emails. On the other hand, the digital mailbox will help firms offer their customers personalized email accounts, with facilities such as printing files, and receiving alerts and reminders.

We believe that these new offerings could act as catalysts and lend some support to the dwindling PC business. The company has high hopes for its new PC offerings, featuring the yet-to-be released Microsoft Corp.’s ( MSFT - Analyst Report ) Windows 8. But similar offerings from the likes of Dell Inc. ( DELL - Analyst Report ) and ASUS, an upcoming tablet from Microsoft and soft demand from the consumer vertical could put a lid on H-P’s product momentum.

Currently, H-P has a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating.