HP Unifies Partner Program, Engages Distributors on Sustainability

HP Inc. now has one global partner program for all of its products, solutions and services. Moreover, the PC and printer maker has expanded the HP Amplify Impact Program -- which focuses on sustainability -- to distributors, as well as partners across 48 countries.

Among the key points to note:

• Big Picture: HP Amplify for All ensures that all HP solutions and services are part of a single, global partner engagement platform, the company said. The effort includes home-grown products as well as acquired products such as HyperX, Poly, Teradici.
• Timing: As of November 1, 2023, "all eligible partner types including commercial, retail and distribution partners can qualify for HP Amplify, allowing them to play to their strengths on the same program foundation of capabilities, collaboration and performance."
• Sustainability: HP Amplify Impact is a sustainability-focused effort that now includes distribution partners and five additional countries: Austria, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands and Finland. The sustainability effort can now support partners across 48 countries to assist in such areas as Climate Action, Human Rights and Digital Equity, the company said.

The company did not say if or how many distributors have joined the sustainability effort.

HP Amplify Impact, Device Refurbishment Services: Sustainability Details

The HP Amplify Impact program, originally unveiled in March 2023 -- allows partners to align with HP's Sustainable Impact strategy. Partners that join Amplify Impact will "tap into HP’s extensive knowledge, training and resources to assess and improve their own sustainability performance while optimizing sustainability-driven sales opportunities."

HP is seeking to enroll at least 50% of its HP Amplify partners into the voluntary sustainability program by 2025, the company said in early 2023.

Also of note: HP adopted the Corporate Knights Sustainable Economy Taxonomy, CEO Enrique Lores told Wall Street analysts during a May 2023 earnings call.

And in early October 2023, HP introduced a new Device Refurbishment Offering. Devices in the program undergo a "rigorous refurbishment process ranging from memory enhancements to storage expansions, tailored to individual preferences and requirements. The devices are then tested extensively and inspected to ensure optimal performance and reliability," HP said.

Hardware, IT Infrastructure and Sustainability: What's Next?

Within its own business, HP is striving to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain (i.e., Scope 3) by 2040, beginning with the supplies business achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the company said in 2021.

Key HP rivals also have high-profile sustainability efforts under way. Examples include:

• Apple introduced carbon neutral watches in September 2023 and vowed to gradually make all of its products carbon neutral. On the software front, Apple launched Grid Forecast Software to help consumers leverage renewable energy.
• Dell says that over 50% of product content and 100% of packaging will be made from recycled or renewable materials by 2030.
• Lenovo's AI for All strategy aligns with sustainability services, the company said in October 2023.

Meanwhile, HP's overall business remains under pressure. Revenues were $13.2 billion in Q3 of 2023, down 9.9% from Q3 of 2022. The revenue weakness involves a post-COVID hangover. Millions of customers purchased mobile PCs for remote work during the pandemic, and in many cases those PCs don't yet require upgrades or replacement systems.