As part of its strategy to provide integrated online and classroom-based education solutions, HP South Africa is broadening its course portfolio, developing closer relationships with alliance partners and ensuring the local market understands the business value of training and certification.
That`s the word from Imraan Jassat, the education specialist at HP South Africa, who was speaking at a recent briefing session to highlight the importance of education and the strength of the company`s offerings.
"Training and education is a critical asset for our customers and channel partners; it`s an investment, yes, but it`s one that generates significant returns," he said.
The strategy is four-fold. HP provides education services directly to its existing enterprise and SMB customer base through its internal sales force. It also partners with value-added resellers and systems integrators like Cornastone and Intrinsic Technologies to offer channel and customer training.
"We already consider ourselves strong in these two areas as this has been our point of focus for the past few years. However, we are still seeing significant growth in the business coming through these channels," said Jassat.
"Over the next few months our plan is to stimulate new growth via the other two pillars of our strategy: expanding relationships with alliance partners [such as Microsoft]; and developing new ones with established IT training providers."
While technologies such as HP-UX, software portfolios such as HP OpenView, and strategic solutions such as IT service management and e-services are a key focus for the division, it does not just provide education on HP-specific solutions. Technologies from Broadvision, Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft and SAP (among others) are all covered.
Another facet of HP Education highlighted by Jassat was the approach it took to the business itself. The fundamental goal, he said, was to provide customised, integrated solutions according to the needs of the partner or customer.
"Education is no longer simply about classroom-based learning," he said.
"Our total education solutions might still comprise an element of traditional instructor-led training but Web-based courses, distance learning, research via a `distance lab`, personalised on-site training, strategic education consulting or even the creation of an online education portal can also be integrated; it`s all within our scope."
With such a broad portfolio of solutions, focus is clearly needed if HP is to make further inroads into the IT and HR departments of partners and corporate and SMB customers. Jassat said that, in addition to the expansion of the aforementioned relationships, HP would also focus on online training for these markets.
"We have an offering known as `e-learning-on-tap`. This enables organisations and training providers to deliver instructor-led online training to employees, business partners and customers, all conducted in a secure setting using the powerful HP Virtual Classroom environment."
Heightening the profile of certification will be another focal point for HP - after all, said Jassat, being HP-certified bolsters a partner`s standing when vying for new business; it also provides a tangible return on a customer`s education investment.
"Many companies face challenges as far as perception is concerned - education has been one for us. The market has not been fully aware of the breadth of our training offerings," added Jassat.
"However, with a focus firmly on those integrated and customised education solutions, we are certainly repositioning ourselves as a total education and training solutions provider.
"Underpinning this integrated learning approach is access to systems which manage the students and content. This is critical in SA where individual development plans and tracking of these is a key responsibility of organisations."
For more information on HP Education, visit www.education.hp.com
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