Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a US-based IT company established in 2015. It specializes in servers, storage, networking, software, and consulting. HPE was created through the split of Hewlett-Packard Company, with HP Inc. focusing on personal computers and printing. In 2017, HPE spun off its Enterprise Services and software business segments, leading to the formation of DXC Technology and Micro Focus. HPE was listed as No. 107 in the 2018 Fortune 500.
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard formalized their partnership on January 1, 1939, marking the founding of HP.
In 1940, HP moved into its first leased building as part of its early growth.
In 1947, HP incorporated and achieved revenues exceeding $1.5 million, showcasing early business success.
HP introduced a high-speed frequency counter in 1951, highlighting its innovation in electronic products.
In 1957, HP had its first public stock offering and expanded manufacturing operations, setting the stage for future growth.
In 1958, Hewlett-Packard Company made its first acquisition, marking the beginning of its involvement in mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry.
HP Laboratories was officially launched to provide engineers with the freedom to conduct research and development without the immediate need for commercialization, enabling the exploration of future technologies.
In 1967, Sample Electronics transformed into HP Australia, marking a significant development in the company's expansion and presence in the Australian market.
In 1968, Hewlett-Packard introduced the 9100A, which was later identified by Wired magazine as the world's first personal computer. Despite being called a desktop calculator by HP, it was a significant engineering triumph at the time.
Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP 35, the first handheld scientific calculator, which revolutionized consumer electronics by enabling advanced mathematical functions in a pocket-sized device.
Hewlett-Packard introduced the HPIB computer peripheral interface in 1973, which later became a standard in high-end test and measurement equipment. This innovation showcased HP's commitment to technological advancements.
Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-65 in 1974, which was the world's first handheld programmable calculator. This product showcased HP's commitment to innovation in the calculator industry.
In 1976, an engineering intern at HP built a prototype for the first personal computer, marking a significant milestone in computing history.
Hewlett-Packard made a strategic decision to commit to the personal computer market, a move that would shape its future in the technology industry.
In 1978, Hewlett stepped down as CEO of Hewlett-Packard and was succeeded by John A. Young. This marked a significant leadership transition within the company.
In 1979, Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-41C, the first alphanumeric, programmable, and expandable calculator. This product marked another milestone in HP's legacy of calculator innovation.
By 1983, Hewlett-Packard Japan transitioned to become the majority owner, signifying a shift in control and operations within the company's Japanese division.
HP introduced inkjet and laser printers for desktop use in 1984. These printers, along with the scanner product line, later evolved into successful multifunction products, including all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/fax machines.
In 1985, HP achieved sales of $6.5 billion with a workforce of 85,000 employees. This marked a significant milestone in the company's financial performance during that year.
On March 3, 1986, HP registered the domain name HP.com, becoming the ninth .com domain to be registered on the Internet. This move marked HP's early presence in the digital space.
In 1987, the Palo Alto garage where Hewlett and Packard started their business was recognized as a California Historical Landmark. This acknowledgment highlighted the historical significance of HP's humble beginnings.
The acquisition of Apollo, Inc. by HP in 1989 marked a significant expansion of HP's product portfolio and technological capabilities, strengthening its position in the market.
In 1992, Hewlett-Packard acquired Texas Instruments’ commercial computer business, a strategic move to broaden its product offerings and strengthen its presence in the computer market.
In 1993, HP acquired Advanced Design System from Pathwave. This acquisition added RF simulation tools to HP's portfolio, which later became part of Agilent Technologies after a spin-off in 1999.
HP sponsored Mission: SPACE in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort starting from 1995.
In 1997, HP began selling its products in Iran through a European subsidiary and a Dubai-based Middle Eastern distributor, despite U.S. export sanctions. This led to an inquiry by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) due to violations of sanctions.
In July 1999, Carly Fiorina became the first female CEO of a Fortune-20 company in the Dow Jones Industrial Average when she was appointed as the CEO of HP. Fiorina's appointment marked a significant milestone in gender diversity at top corporate positions.
On September 3, 2001, HP announced an agreement to merge with Compaq. This decision was later finalized and officially announced on May 3, 2002, after passing a shareholder vote.
In 2002, Hewlett-Packard announced the acquisition of Compaq for approximately $25 billion, marking one of the largest mergers in the tech industry history. This move significantly expanded Hewlett-Packard's offerings in personal and enterprise computing.
In March 2003, HP restated its first-quarter cash flow, reducing it by 18% due to an accounting error.
Mark Hurd, previously from NCR Corporation, was appointed as HP's CEO and president on April 1, 2005. Hurd was chosen for his successful leadership at NCR, leading to high expectations for HP's future.
In 2006, HP's general counsel, under chairwoman Patricia Dunn's direction, hired security experts to investigate board members and journalists to find the source of an information leak. Private investigators used pretexting to obtain phone records, leading to a scandal involving impersonation of HP board members and journalists.
In July 2007, HP finalized the acquisition of Opsware through a cash tender deal. This acquisition integrated Opsware's software with Oracle's enterprise IT management software, expanding HP's offerings in the IT sector.
On May 13, 2008, HP announced the acquisition of EDS, a significant move in the tech industry. The deal required stockholder approval and regulatory clearance from various entities.
After finalizing the agreement on August 26, 2008, EDS was re-branded following its acquisition by HP for $13 billion. This marked a new chapter for the company.
On September 15, 2008, HP announced the first targeted layoff of 24,600 former EDS workers as part of the acquisition deal. This move was a significant aspect of the merger.
On December 23, 2008, HP released iPrint Photo for the iPhone, allowing users to print photos directly from their iPhones.
On November 11, 2009, Hewlett-Packard announced the acquisition of 3Com for $2.7 billion, a strategic move to expand its presence in the enterprise networking gear market. This acquisition was part of a trend among tech giants to broaden their offerings.
On April 28, 2010, HP announced the acquisition of Palm, Inc. for $1.2 billion, aiming to enhance its mobile presence and gain valuable patents and the webOS platform. This move was a strategic investment in the mobile market.
On July 1, 2010, HP completed the acquisition of Palm, Inc., solidifying its position in the mobile market and gaining access to the webOS platform. This marked a significant step in HP's mobile strategy.
Mark Hurd resigned as CEO of HP amid controversy surrounding allegations of sexual harassment and improper expenses. Despite being credited with turning HP into the largest computer company in the world, Hurd's resignation was requested by the board to avoid negative public relations.
On September 2, 2010, HP emerged victorious in the bidding war for 3PAR with a $2.07 billion offer, outbidding Dell. This strategic move strengthened HP's position in the storage market.
Léo Apotheker was named as the new CEO and president of HP, following Mark Hurd's resignation. His appointment was met with criticism due to his past involvement in a scandal at SAP, where a subsidiary was found stealing software from Oracle.
HP announced a strategic shift to exit the smartphone and tablet computer business, focusing instead on higher-margin sectors like cloud, solutions, and software. The company also considered selling off its personal computer division and emphasized enterprise, commercial, and government markets.
In September 2011, Meg Whitman took over as the chief executive of HP, replacing Leo Apotheker who was fired by the HP Board of Directors. Apotheker's tenure was marked by a significant loss in market capitalization for HP.
Several class action firms filed a lawsuit against HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise for allegedly failing to pay commission payments and incentive compensation to California sales employees within the required timeframes.
In March 2012, HP announced the merger of its printing and PC divisions into one unit, with Todd Bradley heading the new unit. Vyomesh Joshi, the printing chief, left the company as a result.
In May 2012, HP revealed plans to lay off around 27,000 employees due to a 31% profit decline in the second quarter of the year. The decline was attributed to the rise in popularity of smartphones and tablets.
On May 30, 2012, HP introduced its first net zero energy data center, utilizing solar energy and renewable sources instead of traditional power grids.
In July 2012, a security vulnerability was discovered in HP's Server Monitoring Software, prompting the release of a patch to address the issue. Additionally, HP's official training center was hacked by a Pakistani hacker named Hitcher.
In September 2012, HP revised its restructuring figures and initiated the process of cutting 29,000 jobs.
By December 2013, HP raised the number of job cuts to 34,000, with 24,600 job cuts completed by the end of the year. The company aimed to become more competitive and cost-effective.
In May 2014, HP declared an additional 11,000 to 16,000 job cuts on top of the previously announced 34,000 cuts. This move was part of HP's strategy to transform into a more agile and customer-focused company.
On October 6, 2014, HP announced its decision to split into two separate companies, separating its personal computer and printer businesses from its technology services. This split resulted in the formation of two publicly traded companies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc.
On October 29, 2014, Hewlett-Packard announced the launch of their new Sprout personal computer. This innovative product was introduced to the market as part of HP's product lineup.
On June 9, 2015, HP agreed to pay $100 million to investors who purchased HP shares between August 19, 2011, and November 20, 2012, to settle lawsuits related to the Autonomy purchase.
On November 1, 2015, Hewlett-Packard officially split into two publicly traded companies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. The split was structured in a way that Hewlett-Packard changed its name to HP Inc. and spun off Hewlett Packard Enterprise as a new entity.
In September 2016, HPE announced a 'spin-merge' with Micro Focus, where Micro Focus would acquire HPE's 'non-core' software, including the HP Autonomy unit. The merger concluded on September 1, 2017, with HPE shareholders owning 50.1 percent of the merged company.
On November 1, 2016, Hewlett Packard Enterprise finalized the acquisition of Silicon Graphics International for US$7.75 per share in cash. This strategic move aimed to enhance HPE's position in high performance computing.
On March 10, 2017, the merger of HPE Enterprise Services with Computer Sciences Corporation was completed, resulting in the formation of DXC Technology. This merger significantly impacted approximately 100,000 HPE employees.
On April 11, 2017, Synack raised US$21 million in funding, with participation from Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
The spin-merge between HPE and Micro Focus concluded on September 1, 2017. This strategic move involved the acquisition of HPE's 'non-core' software by Micro Focus, with HPE shareholders retaining a significant ownership stake in the merged company.
In June 2018, Hewlett Packard Enterprise introduced GreenLake Hybrid Cloud, a hybrid cloud service built on HPE's OneSphere cloud management SaaS console. It offers cloud management, cost control, and compliance control capabilities, and is compatible with AWS and Microsoft Azure.
In February 2019, Meg Whitman announced that she would not be seeking re-election to the board of directors of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, marking the end of her professional involvement with the company.
In May 2019, Hewlett Packard Enterprise revealed its intention to acquire Cray Inc for US$35 per share. This move followed Cray's significant contract with the US Department of Energy for the Frontier supercomputer. The acquisition was finalized in September 2019 for approximately US$1.4 billion.
HPE has faced backlash for providing maintenance services to the Israel Police, Israeli Prison Service, and Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, enabling human rights violations and war crimes in the occupied West Bank.