IT life: Nick Lazaridis, HP Inc.
Nick Lazaridis, HP Inc’s President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa talks about his career in IT and the biggest challenges he’s facing at the moment
How will the Internet of Things affect your organisation?
Our vision at HP is to create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. IoT plays an important role in being able to do that and ensuring our customers have the exact technology and services they need, exactly when they need them.
One great example is our Instant Ink replacement service: IoT allows us to monitor when our customer is about to run out of ink. We then send them a new cartridge before that happens, making running out of ink at that crucial moment a frustration of the past!
What smartphone do you use?
I use an HP Elite X3. Of course it’s not a smartphone, it’s a phablet, laptop and desktop all-in-one!
What three apps could you not live without?
Microsoft Outlook, WhatsApp, and gMaps – they help me stay connected to my work, my personal life, and enable me to get from A to B in the most efficient possible way!
What new technology are you most excited for a) your business and b) yourself?
For HP, I’m hugely excited about our new 3D printing technology. The printers will produce an output ten times faster than was previously possible and at half the cost. Also, half of the plastic parts within the printer are in fact 3D printed; the printer is at the point where it can almost print itself!
3D printing is set to disrupt a huge amount of industries. Take manufacturing for example: companies will be far more efficient in how they use their materials and how they manage their supply chains. They will also be able to manufacture more products locally. This will be a world-changing technology, and will deliver mass customisation to everyone, everywhere.
And, I’m really excited about our new HP Elite X3. It’s a very cool looking 3-in-1 device that brings the best laptop, desktop, and mobile phone experience together. And it makes working on the go so much easier – something I do a lot.
If you weren’t doing the job you do now, what would you be doing?
It may sound like a cliché, but I have the best job, and the best team in the industry. I can’t imagine doing anything else right now!
Quiz: How much do you know about cloud computing?