Ricoh goes green with June 'Global Eco Action' month

Ricoh will position the month of June as “Ricoh Global Eco Action Month” with the aim of widespread, sustained Eco Actions by Group employees around the world. As part of “Ricoh Global Eco Action” Ricoh will turn off the lights on all billboards, Ricoh logo signboards and night lighting facilities at all Group companies around the world on the night of June 5th - the United Nations World Environment Day. The 100% eco-powered billboards in New York (Times Square), London, and Sydney will be excluded.

“Ricoh Global Eco Action” began in 2006 as an environmental event for enhancing awareness among Group company employees worldwide and promoting environmentally friendly thinking actions. The theme of the seventh year of “Ricoh Global Eco Action” is “THINK & ACT. Think and act on your own.”  Employees are individually encouraged to focus on energy conservation at work and at home, host and participate in environmental events, and take other actions that reflect their concerns for the environment. These events are announced for participation via posters, mail news, and through the transmission and sharing of information on Facebook and the Ricoh intranet.

Ricoh continues with the “Ricoh Global Eco Action” expanding its environmental conservation movement from Group employees to their families, friends, business partners and clients.

Eco-Powered Electronic Billboards

As with “Ricoh Global Eco Action,” the eco-powered electronic billboards excluded from the upcoming switching off of signage represent one of the measures being undertaken to “expand the circle of global environmental conservation.” The initiative is based on the idea that “even if the billboards don’t light up and fulfill their functions as signage due to weather, we hope that the message the billboards convey will raise many people’s environmental awareness and lead to the realization of a sustainable society.” Experimental lighting began in April 2009, and following the completion of the first billboard at Times Square, New York in 2010, additional billboards were installed in June and July last year in London and Sydney, respectively. The average combined power generation of the three sites has been calculated at approximately 150,000 wh per day.

Ricoh’s approach to environmental management goes beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements, to combining ecological concerns with its business strategy to drive environmental conservation and profitability. With sustainable innovation at the heart of its business, Ricoh is also expanding its services for its customers.  It is building upon the award winning Sustainability Optimisation Programme, designed for the office, by offering the Carbon Balanced Printing Programme as a service specifically for Commercial Printers.  Both programmes are accredited by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and focus on helping businesses to reduce impacts wherever possible and offset the unavoidable carbon emissions through carbon credits generated by clean energy projects in which Ricoh has invested.

James Deacon, head of corporate responsibility at Ricoh UK says, “At Ricoh, we have always considered our impact on the world and demonstrated corporate social responsibility, so much so, that it is ingrained into our corporate values and integrated into the very heart of our operations. By dedicating the month of June to raising environmental awareness among our customers, suppliers and employees, we can make a real and positive change to the environment, further helping our clients to be more profitable and sustainable at their own sites as well as taking action in our own operations.”

For more information, please visit www.ricoh.co.uk

[photo shows Ricoh's eco-billboard in London]

SGIA 2012 set to be 'most indulgent yet'

The 2012 SGIA Expo, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, USA between 18th and 20th October 2012, is - according to the organisers - set to be the industry’s 'most indulgent yet'.  Leading suppliers and manufacturers have already signed up as sponsors.  Platinum sponsors include Agfa Graphics, Durst Image Technology US, EFI, Epson, Hewlett-Packard and FUJIFILM North America Corp. Graphic Systems Division. INX Digital International Co, Novus Imaging Inc, Roland DGA Corporation and STAHLS’ are participating as Gold level sponsors.

“As our partner, SGIA offers us the tools and capabilities we need to enable our customers to be more profitable and grow,” says Deborah Hutcheson, director of marketing for Agfa Graphics North America. “From trend information, valuable news, educational sessions and comprehensive publications, SGIA provides the resources that get exposure for Agfa and our customers.”

“Durst is proud to be a continuing sponsor of the SGIA Expo,” says Christopher Howard, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Durst Image Technology US. “It has proven to be a great source of information for the imaging community and its focus on bringing the latest innovations and market trends to the members from a broad spectrum of printing segments is invaluable for the industry.”

“The SGIA Expo is a primary gathering point and marketplace for EFI to demonstrate its unique automated workflow, including web-to-print systems, browser-based productivity software solutions, Fiery ProServer-driven digital presses, and several wide- and super wide-format digital inkjet printers,” says Ken Hanulec, vice president of marketing for inkjet solutions at EFI. “The SGIA event continues to be one of our most successful show venues worldwide.”

“The SGIA Expo continues to be a prime venue for Epson to unveil and demonstrate our most advanced printing technologies and solutions for the specialty graphics industry, including our new SureColor 64-inch solvent printers,” says Reed Hecht, product manager, Epson America, Inc. “We are sure the 2012 Expo will be no exception in the quality and innovation it brings to the industry.”

“The SGIA Expo is a premier large-format industry event and a key strategic opportunity for HP to connect with leading sign and display professionals,” says David Murphy, Americas director of marketing, Graphics Solutions Business, HP. “HP is proud of our long-standing relationship with SGIA, and we are eager to foster the mutual benefits of our 2012 exposition sponsorship. For us, the event helps strengthen and create new customer relationships, while demonstrating our market leadership in large-format UV and Latex printing.”

“Fujifilm is pleased to be a platinum sponsor of the 2012 SGIA Expo, and we look forward to connecting with key customers and showcasing our latest innovations for production of display graphics at this year’s show,” says Mitch Bode, vice president of wide-format graphics, at FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphics Systems Division.

“Novus Imaging is proud to partner with SGIA as a Gold Sponsor for the upcoming exhibition in Las Vegas,” says Kevin Sykes, founder, president and CEO at Novus Imaging. “SGIA is virtually synonymous with the graphics industry, and we believe the partnership helps us to keep our finger on the pulse.”

“SGIA is always one of the year’s highlights and we are excited to be there once again in 2012 as a Gold sponsor,” says Andrew Oransky, director of marketing and product management for Roland. “This year, we will demonstrate our most advanced digital printing, engraving, personalisation and custom apparel technologies to date, including several DPI award winners.”

“The SGIA Expo was an invaluable success for GroupeSTAHL last year. As a Gold Level Sponsor for 2012, we look forward to the extra visibility that sponsorship provides. The year-round promotional coverage, via SGIA.org, press releases, an ad in the 2012 Expo Exposition Directory, various advertising opportunities, and online banner ads, makes it very worthwhile for us,” says Carleen Gray, vice president and chief marketing officer, GroupeSTAHL.

“INX Digital International is proud to sponsor SGIA in 2012,” says Ken Kisner, president, INX Digital Americas. “We find it to be a tremendous industry resource that provides many of the tools and information our customers find essential to helping them make key business decisions.”

For a complete list of SGIA exhibitors, please visit www.SGIA.org

Eight new recruits at Hollywood Monster to target digital print sector

Hollywood Monster has underlined its commitment to digital print by employing eight new recruits and creating a brand new digital print sales team.  The new new recruits have joined Hollywood Monster in response to increased digital print demand.  The company plans to win significant new business across the UK.

Joining the company's rapidly expanding workforce based in Tyseley, Birmingham, are Dan Whitford, sales manager, Chris Kelly, sales executive, Mike Clarke, project manager, Richard Green, quality manager, Richard Hinckley, business development manager, Steve Allen, installation manager, Paul Marsh, project manager, and Brad Davies, senior creative designer. The creation of the new team brings the company's total workforce up to 80.

Hollywood Monster's managing director, Tim Andrews, comments, "We are very excited about the new team and our drive to secure a greater share of the digital print market. It marks a huge investment on our part but we are confident that this is the right move for our future success. The aim of the team is to look into bettering communication with our existing clients as well as welcoming new ones on board.

"The combination of having the right people in place, alongside our recent investment in the latest technology, means we are geared up for the Olympic London 2012 work we've won and will be able to secure further new business to drive Hollywood Monster forward."

He adds, "Increasing the digital sales team is in an effort to move the company to the next step. We believe in service as a journey and, with a dedicated projects team already in place, a dedicated sales team brings a great balance. We are also proud that in these times, when jobs are scarce, that we can promote job creation and investment in people in Birmingham."

Annual turnover is expected to increase by around £1 million to £6.5 million this year. A business improvement project designed to provide clients with a better service but also make the company more efficient is paying major dividends. It is also working towards the Quality Assurance standard ISO 9001.

The company has invested £2 million in the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment to enable it to widen its services to customers – a key ingredient in its current growth.

Tim concludes, "More and more customers are recognising and appreciating the quality of our work and Hollywood Monster has gained a great reputation for delivering projects on budget and on time. As the business grows, so will our people and that - particularly in this tough economic climate - is one of the most satisfying aspects of the success we are currently enjoying."

Products produced by the company include banners, building wraps, billboard posters, backlit skins, flex face signs, wallpapers, exhibitions, back drop and displays.   Hollywood Monster works with major companies including Next, Virgin Media, LilyWhites, Ann Summers, Coach, Whistles, HMV, Westfield, Carillion, Morgan Sindall, Lovell Homes, Redrow, Bovis Homes and Barratt Developments.  Sectors it is active in include commercial and residential property, construction, retail, corporate, exhibition, outdoor media, event, stadium, museum and theatrical.

For more information, please visit www.hollywoodmonster.co.uk.

Boyall Graphics wins HP Print Excellence Award

Boyall Graphics recently won an HP Print Excellence Award which was presented in a special ceremony during drupa 2012. The Northampton-based business was a winner in the 'Labels and Packaging â€" Speciality Printing' category.  The digital print specialist’s entry comprised an unusual application for decorating corporate hard hats which had been produced on its HP Indigo digital press.

The HP Print Excellence Awards took place for the first time internationally this year, with 21 categories attracting 364 entries from 47 countries world-wide. Companies eligible to submit actual jobs were those who use HP Indigo, Inkjet Web Press, plus Scitex and Designjet machines.

Boyall Graphics was an easy winner of its section for Speciality Printing, producing an unusual application in a logical and cost-effective way using an ink formulation and material which didn’t compromise the material from which the hard hats were manufactured.

Conventionally, analogue processes such as pad printing are used to customise hard hats which are only cost-effective when higher volumes are being produced; there are also restrictions on the numbers of colours and the area which can be decorated. Using its HP Indigo S2000 digital press, Boyall Graphics was able to produce individual, personalised results with 100% coverage over the entire area. Customers can provide their own vector artwork or photographic images, and these can be integrated with advertising messages and the wearer’s name.

Boyall Graphics has a history steeped in innovate display production, having been formed in the late 1970s as a screen-printing specialist. During the years the company has added wide-format digital print to its range of services, and can produce outdoor durable applications direct to the rigid sheets and rolls up to a maximum width of 3.5m.

As demand became more complex, with the need for greater diversity, Boyall Graphics invested in an HP Indigo S2000 so that it could extend its production capabilities into smaller, decorative items ranging from plastic ID cards through to beer font and brewery dispense graphics. The company’s award-winning customised hard hats provide just one example of the versatility of the printed output which can be offered to clients.

“Our customers want input from us to help their advertising or marketing achieve its objectives,” states Paul Hickmott, sales and marketing director at Boyall Graphics. “Whether we will be printing onto wide-format point-of-sale material for cash and carry warehouses, corporate inflatable structures for blue chip companies, banners or even shop signage, it’s in our interests to make them look good.

“Being awarded the Hewlett Packard Global Print Award for Speciality Printer is extremely important to us,” Hickmott continues. “It assures potential customers in Northamptonshire and the surrounding area that they are dealing with a highly professional printer capable of making them stand out from the crowd.”

“We chose the Indigo s2000 digital solution due to its high quality finish and HP’s willingness to tailor the machines’ specification to our needs,” he concludes. “This sort of supplier approach helps a local printer like us stand out.”

Boyall Graphics specialises in a wide range of applications, including photographic images, exhibition displays, construction signs and hoardings, vending machine graphics and outdoor event structures. The company works from existing designs or can create initial concepts for its clients, with fast turn-round on all orders.

[Photo shows Paul Hickmott (left) with Alon Bar-Shany, Vice President and General Manager, HP Indigo Digital Press Division]

EcoPrint 2012 releases 'sustainability and standards' white paper

Europe’s printers are concerned that confusion over standards for sustainable printing is preventing print’s eco-message from getting through to buyers, according to a white paper published today by sustainable print exhibition, EcoPrint 2012.

The Print Sustainability Standards and Communication white paper, produced by Print and Media Certification Ltd (PMC), is based on a survey of European printers where just 7.3% of respondents said they believed print is effectively communicating its message about sustainability.

The paper also found that smaller printers are being discouraged from taking the first steps to sustainability because of the perceived cost of adopting standards, and the difficulty in determining why and how to make that first leap towards, for them at least, a very high bar.

According to the paper, print needs to start work now on developing simple and effective ways to communicate the sustainability of the whole print process to buyers. Accessible standards focussing on the entire printing process and recognising the value of those taking the first steps as well as those with the highest standards is the natural place to begin.

Marcus Timson, Director, EcoPrint said, “It’s obvious that a lack of clarity when it comes to sustainability is holding us back. If the industry is to ensure its enduring relevance for the future then it must open up an accessible and frank debate on print’s current strengths and admit where there’s room for improvement â€" if we clarify the discussion internally, together, then it will be easier to communicate to external audiences.”

Print Sustainability Standards and Communication is available to download free for those who register to attend EcoPrint 2012 in Berlin on 26/27 September. It also features three exclusive case studies from a certified printer (Erler+Pless, Hamburg), the designer and owner of the POPAI UK & Ireland standard and a specialist green printer (Addison Design).

The white paper is sponsored by INX Digital, whose president Ken Kisner said, “The research reveals some interesting insights and goes some way to confirming our feeling that confusion over the definition of sustainable print is in part responsible for the industry’s general inertia. Perhaps EcoPrint’s biggest contribution will be as a platform for enabling this discussion between the industry’s leaders to take place. In that respect, it’s a discussion that almost no-one can afford to be left out of.”

The full paper analyses the results of the survey in detail, uncovering revealing insights such as:

• The top three standards which were most quoted as useful for printers seeking to be more environmentally sustainable were ISO 14001, FSC/PEFC and carbon footprints. 56% indicated ISO14001 as useful, 49.2% FSC/PEFC, and 32.6% carbon footprinting.
• When asked if a new standard focussed on providing print buyers with information regarding sustainable innovation would be a positive thing 45.2% agreed, 36.3% said maybe and only 18.5% didn’t agree.
• 50.4% were certified to an environmental standard, and a variety of reasons were cited for not being certified: 40.5% thought it too costly and time consuming, 31% didn’t see it as necessary as customers did not require it, and a further 27% saw no need at all.

The paper’s author, Jon Stack, Director and founder of PMC said, “The results of the survey undertaken make it clear that print is not getting its sustainable message across to print buyers and consumers of printed and other media. This is partly due to the wide range and nature of the standards adopted, but also that many small companies in the sector, which make up a large proportion of the industry, believe that it is costly and difficult to reach the standards set, and so are deterred from changing their business practices. The challenge for the owners and developers of standards, those who implement them, and the industry in general, is to communicate the good news about print’s sustainability to buyers and consumers in a simple and effective way that focuses on the whole printed product”.

Print Sustainability Standards and Communication can be downloaded by registering on the EcoPrint website: www.ecoprintshow.com/for-visitors

Mimaki reports of a 'successful conclusion' to drupa 2012

Mimaki reported a successful conclusion to its presence at drupa 2012, where the company launched a number of new products. Attendees provided very positive feedback about the Mimaki’s new JFX500 series, a next-generation high-speed UV-LED flatbed inkjet printer, the new JV400-LX, a wide-format printer that uses low curing latex inks, and the new JV400-SUV, an inkjet printer equipped with solvent UV ink. Visitors to the Mimaki stand were especially impressed by the quality, speed and low curing temperature of these innovative systems.

Another highlight for Mimaki was the impressive amount of sales generated , reinforcing the value of Mimaki solutions in today’s highly competitive sign and display graphics and textile printing markets.

JFX500 impresses on its debut

The unveiling of the new JFX500-2131, a next-generation UV-LED flatbed inkjet printer, was a major attraction at the Mimaki stand. A high-speed, high-quality printing system, the JFX500-2131 offers excellent output â€" up to 60m2/h in four-colour mode, and up to 50m2/h with white ink â€" and faithfully reproduces fine details including crisp print as small as 2 points.

Its large flatbed â€" 2,100mm x 3,100mm â€" enables direct printing on a wide range of materials up to a 100mm thick. And its UV-LED curing unit ensures significantly improved curing-efficiency â€" high-speed printing is now possible without leaving behind uncured ink. In addition, the low curing temperatures associated with LED curing mean that the printer can handle a wider variety of heat sensitive substrates than printers with normal UV curing.

Versatile JV400 series a winner with visitors

One of Mimaki’s overarching aims is to empower its customers by offering them a choice of systems, enabling them to can choose the one best suited to their needs. It is an approach that proved popular with drupa attendees, who were especially impressed by the versatility of the JV400 series.

The JV400-130/160LX is a high-speed, high-quality latex printer that uses environmentally friendly latex ink, and enables users to print on a wide range of substrates, including uncoated materials. Mimaki’s latex products pave the way for commercial printers to produce cleaner and greener prints. With curing temperatures of 40 â€" 60°C, the printer not only is more energy efficient, but it enables commercial printers to use a wider variety of substrates.

Mimaki’s JV400-130/160SUV, a revolutionary inkjet printer that blends the flexibility of solvent printing with the durability of UV-cured inks, also drew a significant amount of attention at the show. This unique system won plaudits from sign and display graphics companies, who recognised that the JV400-130/160SUV brings to market a new standard for sign manufacturers â€" solvent UV, blending the best of both ink technologies into one powerhouse printer.

Landa Dance Show highlights the power of Mimaki textile printers

Mimaki was pleased to play a role in a key highlight of drupa 2012, the ‘The Dance for the Digital Age.' This stunning performance played to packed audiences in the Landa Nanographics stand several times per day during the entire two weeks of the show. It depicted historical milestones in printing. All of the fabric for the dancers’ striking costumes was printed on Mimaki textile printers.

Mimaki textile printers are the world’s fastest dye sublimation systems. They can print at 150 square meters per hour on transfer paper as well as direct to pre-treated polyester fabrics without the need for an interim transfer paper step, all without any compromise in quality.

The vibrant costumes used in the dance show clearly made a big impression on these large audiences â€" Mimaki’s Polish dealer sold three of Mimaki’s textile printers, one of many sales the company closed during the show.

Mike Horsten, marketing manager at Mimaki, comments, “drupa 2012 was a huge success for Mimaki, and we’re very proud to have been part of this prestigious event, which was clearly the star of the show. We secured some impressive sales and generated many strong leads, as a result of the significant number of attendees that spent time in our stand during drupa checking out the new technologies offered.

“It was very rewarding to be able to launch so many new products and see them so positively received by visitors to our stand. We are thrilled with the positive feedback we received on the JFX500 series, a next-generation UV-LED flatbed inkjet printer, and the new JV400 series, which offers the option of latex or solvent UV inks.”

For more information on Mimaki, please visit www.mimakieurope.com

The Vinyl Cut is named as UK winner of Roland Creative Awards

Roland DG has announced that sign and graphics company, The Vinyl Cut, has been named a Regional Award winner of the Roland Creative Awards international design competition for its highly innovative...

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LFR Image Library launched!

The creators of Large Format Review (LFR) have announced the introduction of a new image library resource â€" LFR Image Library â€" for the sign & display marketplace.  So confident are we of the quality of the new online resource, we are now offering every potential customer a free 7 day trial.

LFR Image Library is the ultimate creative resource for sign and print professionals. The subscription-based service allows users to download from over 1 million sign industry-specific photos, vinyl-ready graphics, illustrations, vehicle templates and wraps for a scalable, one-off annual fee.

The online resource holds a near-limitless choice of photography and illustrations released for commercial use and includes a massive collection of vector illustrations.  LFR Image Library also has over 5000 up-to-the-minute vehicle outlines which are accurate and true to scale and are ideal for layouts and customer presentations.

On the introduction of the LFR Image Library, LFR’s marketing director, Marc Burnett, comments, “Finally there is a graphics resource library for the signage and wide format printing industry that delivers everything a user needs.   With fast and accurate searches and sophisticated filtering of results, this service is an essential tool.”

He adds, “LFR Image Library is simple to use and constantly updated with new images and vehicle templates.  With LFR Image Library, there is no longer the need to restrict the number of comps or images, no need to repeatedly buy credits off websites and no extra charge for large files.  It delivers everything a sign or print shop needs in terms of graphics - and at a great price point.  With the 7 day free trial, there really is no reason why you shouldn’t give it a go.”

Pricing and Availability

Available with immediate effect, an annual subscription to LFR Image Library costs from £149 p/a for the vehicle outline package through to £295 p/a for full access to the entire Image Library.

For more information, please visit http://www.lfrimagelibrary.com

 

Former Manchester United stars set to shine on Hybrid stand

The Sign & Digital show is celebrating its 25th birthday at the NEC next month, and to help mark the occasion, Mimaki’s exclusive UK & Ireland distributor, Hybrid Services is inviting...

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EcoPrint's Marcus Timson asks 'What do you believe in?'

In his latest blog, Marcus Timson, Director of FM Brooks and co-founder of the upcoming EcoPrint Europe Live 2012 event, writes about what he believes in...

"What do you believe in?

This isn't a philosophical or religious question. But in business terms, have you ever asked yourself what you truly believe in?

The reason I ask is that I have just watched a great presentation on Ted.com from Simon Sinek who talks about leadership and how the innovative people and brands achieve change.

Sinek cites the Wright Brothers, Martin Luther King and Apple as examples of people and organisations that were able to succeed in achieving change, despite considerable resistance from the establishment.

They did this because they believed in trying to achieve something, not because they were forced or incentivised to do it. And they didn't do it purely for the money or because the logical side of their minds were telling them to do so. They succeeded by motivating the emotional side, by inspiring people to their cause because of what they believe in. The detail of their belief is played out by their actions and what they do. The results of their actions were simply the results of their beliefs.

It got us thinking in the FMB office as to 'why' we are doing what we are doing. We genuinely want to create change that is positive for the print industry. With sustainability, there is too much confusion, too much greenwash and not enough defined leadership around the issue of sustainability in print. There is very little access to clear answers on what the opportunities might be and what the leading brands - our customers, are wanting and needing. So a collaborative event designed to promote positive change, is our belief, and we think it is a good idea. And many people in the industry seem to agree with us.

EcoPrint is a forming community, and we think it is perfectly placed to actually provide a forum for change that enables the print sector to better understand the best path forward for sustainability.

To do something different, to challenge the status quo, and take our community forward, we believe in creating something new that isn't focused purely on numbers, that isn't run by a trade organisation, that doesn't share its information with the wider industry, that is relevant and that will do something for forward thinking professionals in print.

We want to provide leadership, and other leaders are welcome to join our independent and open EcoPrint Development Group to play a role in forming something new, something valuable and something that actually helps to move print forward from a strategic perspective.

And that is what we believe in."

For more information on The EcoPrint Show, please visit www.ecoprintshow.com

27,000 employees to lose jobs in HP restructuring programme

HP has outlined plans for a multi-year 'productivity initiative' designed to 'simplify business processes, advance innovation and deliver better results for customers, employees and shareholders'.  The restructuring is expected to generate yearly savings in the region of US$3.0 to US$3.5 billion - the majority of which will be reinvested back into the company.  27,000 job losses - 8% of HP's workforce - will also occur by 2014 as a result of the restructuring.

These moves are expected to yield significant improvements in efficiency and customer service during the next several years. HP expects to use the savings to boost investment in innovation around its three areas of strategic focus: cloud, big data and security, as well as in other segments that offer attractive growth potential.

HP is offering an early retirement programme, so the total number of employees affected will be impacted by the number of employees that participate in the early retirement plan. Workforce reduction plans will vary by country, based on local legal requirements and consultation with works councils and employee representatives, as appropriate.

In addition to these restructuring actions, HP expects to achieve additional savings from non-headcount cost reductions, including supply chain optimization, SKU and platform rationalisation, go-to-market strategy simplification and business process improvement.

“These initiatives build upon our recent organisational realignment, and will further streamline our operations, improve our processes, and remove complexity from our business,” said Meg Whitman, HP president and chief executive officer. “While some of these actions are difficult because they involve the loss of jobs, they are necessary to improve execution and to fund the long term health of the company. We are setting HP on a path to extend our global leadership and deliver the greatest value to customers and shareholders.”

HP expects to reinvest savings in each of its business segments to strengthen their ability to stay ahead of customer expectations and capitalise on growing market trends.

• HP will invest in research and development to drive innovation and differentiation across its core printing and personal systems businesses, as well as emerging areas. It will also invest in marketing, sales productivity and tools that simplify the customer experience and make it easier to do business with HP.
• Services will invest in accelerating service capabilities in the high client value areas of cloud, security and information analytics by enhancing HP intellectual property. Services will also strengthen its industry orientation and continue to differentiate its service offerings through quality and innovation delivered to clients. Combined, these activities are expected to shift the portfolio to a more profitable mix of higher-growth services. Additional work in lean process methodologies is expected to better serve clients and increase overall efficiencies.
• Software will invest to speed development in the areas of security, big data and the management of application life-cycle and infrastructure solutions, both on premise and in the cloud. It will also further leverage the capabilities of Autonomy and Vertica across the entire HP portfolio.
• Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking will invest to accelerate its research and development activities to extend its leading portfolio of servers, storage and networking. Together these assets create a Converged Infrastructure which is the foundation for top client initiatives such as cloud, virtualization, big data analytics, legacy modernization and social media.

As a result of this restructuring, HP expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.7 billion in fiscal 2012 that will be included in its GAAP financial results for that period. Through fiscal 2014, HP expects to record additional pre-tax charges approximating $1.8 billion that will be included in its GAAP financial results for the appropriate periods.