New HP Software Will Assist Internet Vendors

Hewlett-Packard Co. unveiled software designed to let online businesses give better service to customers that have a track record of buying their books, records, clothes and other items.

The software, which recognizes frequent buyers at businesses’ online stores, is designed to help Internet vendors maximize sales on Web sites, where crowds of people just looking at merchandise can tie up a company’s computer servers and keep buyers from completing lucrative transactions.

The product is one part of HP’s effort to become a one-stop shop for the hardware and software tools that businesses need to sell their wares on the Internet. The company makes powerful servers used to run online businesses, such as Barnes & Noble Inc.’s online bookstore, and makes software that lets people make secure payments over the Internet.

HP shares fell 25 cents to close at $76.69 in New York Stock Exchange trading. Earlier, the shares touched a 52-week high of $78.56.

The new software is part of HP’s Quality of Service package, which includes software that regulates the number of people who can browse a Web site at a given time. Users who can’t get into the site immediately are told how long they will have to wait. By forming a line to avoid crowds, the users who are in the site are assured better service.