Innovation Is Priority One At HP Inc.

The following appears on Forbes.com

For nearly 25 years, I have been analyzing Hewlett-Packard HPQ -0.38% as a former competitor, former supplier and now industry analyst. Hewlett-Packard has been known for years as an innovator, one of the first relevant tech companies that created what is now known as Silicon Valley. That innovator status was questioned about mid-stream into former Mark Hurd’s CEO tenure as he cut back on R&D. As Meg Whitmanentered the scene, she made it clear that innovation was a top priority to not only execute on, but to get credit on it as well.

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Two recent announcements by the HP Inc. side of the house that exemplify this innovation focus well are their Multi Jet Fusion technology and the other is Sprout. I had the chance to spend some time at HP Labs meeting with engineers and executives before the launch and want to share some thoughts on the two new products.

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HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology

3D printing up to this point has forked into two distinct markets, consumer-focused, maker printers and commercial-grade printers used for making prototypes. You may recognize printer brands like MakerBot but probably none of the industrial 3D printers from companies like Stratasys Ltd SSYS -0.96%.

Hewlett-Packard has been working on 3D printers since 2007 and from my point of view, are taking a long-term approach to the market. I’m sure they could have released something earlier, but they’re really reaching high, focused on the fastest throughput, high quality parts, with the lowest TCO and working with partners on 3D “ink”. You see, they aren’t satisfied with doing 3D prototypes, they want to fundamentally shift the way manufacturing is done. And that’s a really big deal and a very lofty goal.

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