Hewlett Packard is attempting to take the "software as a service" concept one step further, building massive data centres in order to provide what it calls "adaptive infrastructure as a service".

When completed, customers will be able to draw new software and hardware capabilities directly from HP's data centres.

This represents a shift in emphasis from the company's standard practice of managing the data centres of clients.

Pat Adamiak, vice president of marketing for HP outsourcing services, explained: "Clients no longer have to build out infrastructure … [they] can get best-in-class infrastructure without having to custom-design it themselves."

The new approach will allow HP's customers to upgrade quickly and without spending millions on building new infrastructure.

IT outsourcing is a massive part of HP's global business, constituting around 15 per cent of the company's revenue.

The two data centres are located in Europe and Asia. The European centre is nearly completed and the Asian one will be operational later this year.


© Adfero Ltd