HP Unveils Online System for Corporate Sales

Hewlett-Packard, the world’s No. 2 computer maker, will unveil a system today for sales on the Internet to corporate customers, a move to bolster its competition with Dell Computer Corp., the world’s biggest direct seller of personal computers. The new system will let companies order HP computers and other devices online 24 hours a day. Big companies will be able to create customized screens on HP’s Internet site to fit their needs, while smaller ones will be able to buy from the online HP Business Store. Unlike Dell, which sells almost all of its computers directly to customers via the phone and the Internet, HP will sell through distributors as well. Though more businesses are buying PCs directly from the manufacturer, many customers still want to buy from third parties, HP said. In addition to the online effort, Palo Alto-based HP plans to unveil HP Prime, a program that will provide large customers with their own support teams within HP. Those customers will be eligible to use the Electronic Solutions.Now program that will let them order equipment and get consulting services online. The HP Business Store will be up and running June 8. The HP Prime program, which is being tested with some large customers, will start formally later this year.