HP Gets Serious On Software

The officials also stated that ALM 11 provides accelerated application deployment by automating manual testing activities (such as setting up data and manually driving repetitive tasks across multiple environments) with HP Sprinter; improves test creation with TruClient (part of HP’s LoadRunner 11.0, which tests application performance without the need for time-consuming scripting); and reduces functional application defects in both GUI and non-GUI testing with a single automated solution for composite applications, called Unified Functional Testing 11.0  (a combination of HP’s Functional Test and Service Test 11.0).

“There’s a rationale behind what we’ve done with ALM 11,” HP’s Rende said. “This whole platform is all about accelerating the delivery of applications from a quality and performance perspective.”

“This is one of the most exciting releases I have ever been part of because it fits where the market is now and where it’s going,” said Robin Purohit, vice president and general manager of BTO for HP Software and Solutions.

And customers agree. Todd Eaton, director of the CTO office at McKesson Corp., a provider of health care supplies and services, is “really excited” about ALM 11, particularly enhancements such as the combination of Quality Center and Performance Center, the new ability to test RIAs and Web 2.0 applications, and the new Sprinter.

In addition, with ALM 11, consulting offered by HP Software Professional Services enables clients to reduce the total cost of testing, mitigate risk with lower defect rates, accelerate implementation timelines, and increase software adoption through expert testing practices, flexible delivery models and education services, HP officials said.

A New Direction

Overall, the release of HP’s ALM 11 solutions and its enhancements and new features signals a key direction for the company as a force in the software industry, Veghte said.

He told eWEEK that when he left Microsoft, he looked for an opportunity to make a difference in the software landscape, and he chose HP because of the challenge and promise it represented.

Asked how big a challenge he faces as head of software in a company best known for hardware, Veghte said, “HP has advantages in delivering software long term. And for HP to become the No. 1 IT company in the world, it has to become stronger in software. I want to be a part of that.”

Rende and Sarbiewski — converts from HP’s Mercury acquisition — echoed Veghte’s sentiments. “When we first became part of HP, we increased our investment in software and grew the portfolio and even made some acquisitions,” Rende said. “The acquisitions of companies like SPI Dynamics and Fortify would never have happened if we were still at Mercury.”

“One of the things that impressed me is that they knew they needed the people to help shape their software business and they’ve been very true to their word,” Sarbiewski added.

“When Mark and I came into the company, there weren’t a lot of people here like us with 20 years of experience in software,” Rende said. “But now you see all the software DNA you need, even up to the top position” with Leo Apotheker, former head of SAP, as CEO of HP.

“When I look at my team, it’s stronger than it was at Mercury. In fact, we’ve been able to rehire a bunch of people who left the company when HP acquired us because they didn’t want to work for a hardware vendor, and that has made us stronger.”