HP's cloud computing services tapped to fuel P&G's "Always On" drive

P&G is making the move from a private model into a hybrid cloud environment to drive quality and reduce operating costs.

In a news releasse, HP Enterprise Services announced that Procter & Gamble has signed a multiyear agreement for HP to help provide an “Always On” operating environment that enables the consumer-goods leader to keep products moving on time, from production all the way to shoppers’ carts in the retail store.

Under the terms of the agreement, HP will be accountable for the comprehensive systems reliability of critical P&G processes, such as manufacturing, procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, physical distribution and financial close.

Additionally, HP will lead P&G’s Information Technology Operations Integration Service to drive transparency and consistency across P&G and its technology partners by providing standard tools, processes and an integrated dashboard. The new model will enable P&G to easily connect vendors and create a flexible environment that speeds innovation while reducing overall cost and improving quality for P&G.

“We greatly appreciate the continuous value and service quality that HP Enterprise Services brings us,” said Filippo Passerini, group president, Global Business Services, and chief information officer, Procter & Gamble. “‘Always On’ isn’t just a concept; it’s a critical business driver for us. The HP team has proven its ability to deliver with quality and flexibility.”

HP will further automate, simplify and integrate the services it currently delivers to P&G to enable an even more resilient and scalable environment in which to address market demands. The transformation to “Always On” will include consolidating some of P&G’s core technology infrastructure from a private model into a hybrid cloud environment using HP Enterprise Cloud Services and adding redundant security measures and processes. In the service offering, HP will utilize HP 3PAR Storage, HP Networking, HP VMware Virtualization software, and HP TippingPoint for a converged infrastructure that will lay the foundation for a move to cloud computing. HP Finance and Accounting Business Process Outsourcing Services will digitize P&G’s procure-to-pay process.

“Increasing market share in today’s environment requires innovative business models supported by great technology,” said John Visentin, executive vice president and general manager, HP Enterprise Services. “Through this landmark agreement, we will combine our knowledge of P&G’s business with the best of HP technologies to deliver business-focused outcomes that will help P&G achieve its goal to reach its next billion consumers.”

HP has supported Procter & Gamble’s infrastructure and applications environments, as well as some business processes, for more than eight years.