H-P Offers New Media Players

After launching a new BPO (business process outsourcing) solution and a host of desktop printers last month, Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ - Analyst Report) is now out with two media players targeting the needs of retail and hospitality businesses. The tech giant is quite confident about the rich user experience that is going to be delivered with the combo of media players and digital signage displays.

H-P’s MP6 Digital Signage Player and MP4 Digital Signage Player run on Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT - Analyst Report) Windows Embedded operating system. When it comes to processors, MP6 is powered by Intel Corp.’s (INTC - Analyst Report) dual core processors and MP4 by Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD - Analyst Report).

The media players will enable retailers to float digital content related to products and offers via high-definition graphics displays, which will help them promote their brands. Customers can also interact via touch-enabled screens and get an update for a particular product, which can save time. The products will be pocket-friendly, which will facilitate small retailers to opt for them and boost their business presence.

Apart from this, H-P has unveiled a customized mobile application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ('HUD'). With this mobile app, Housing Discrimination Complaint Application, citizens will be able to lodge complaints regarding any discrepancy/discrimination regarding accommodation with the HUD offices located in the vicinity. The mobile app will be of immense importance for HUD and help it to develop and simplify interactions with citizens and in the process serve them better.

Last month, the computing giant introduced a BPO solution, H-P AutoFlow, which will automate financial, accounting and certain other business processes to facilitate smooth functioning.

Also, the company introduced three desktop printers targeting small and medium businesses (SMBs). Due to limited resources, these SMBs always look for better options at an affordable price. H-P’s highly scalable and cost optimized printers will be able to meet the increasing demand from the SMBs.

H-P’s attempt to diversify away from its PC-centric business is encouraging, but we think revenue flow from this could get delayed due to a tough spending environment.

Currently, H-P has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).