HP has released a new eBook for assisting companies with marketing. They are releasing a chapter per month and you might find it interesting.

From the HP landing page:

This book provides actionable marketing and sales information for business owners and marketing managers. Sponsored by HP, all chapters can be downloaded for free six months before the official publishing date (regular retail value is $39.95). Beautifully illustrated and chock full of check lists, worksheets, tips and tricks, the book provides you with updated information on

• Finding your business focus
• Getting more client appointments
• Optimizing your web activities for search engines
• Creating word of mouth through new media tools like blogs, wikis, optimized landing pages and much, much, more

You can click through to the HP Landing Page and download the first chapter right now. If you subscribe to this feed, we'll let you know when the next chapter is available.

MAHWAH, NJ, February 25, 2008 -- The Biltmore Hotel, a luxury spa and golf hotel resort located in Coral Gables/Miami, has implemented a groundbreaking, customized technology system to reduce costs and streamline workflow on the company's copiers. Developed using Sharp OSA^TMtechnology, the new system helps control employee usage and enhances the capabilities of the hotel's multifunctional color copiers, saving equipment costs and providing real time usage reporting to management.The Biltmore Hotel was facing the challenges of a typical major enterprise, including high print and manpower costs due to everyday office transactions taking place across different sectors, with numerous departments and employees utilizing stand-alone office equipment lacking back-office access and control. The hotel saw an opportunity to control color copy costs and reduce the number of copiers and printers throughout the facility, while improving workflow as well. Sharp Business Systems provided a networked, personalized solution, using Sharp OSA technology, that allows for control over color copy costs and usage, but also fits the Biltmore's existing data infrastructure. Sharp provided a networked solution that enabled access to the company's Active Directory servers, a Microsoft® standard that provides centralized user authentication services for Windows® based computers. "We didn't want to reinvent the wheel so we worked with Sharp to develop a system that could grow with the business," said Marc Stidham, CIO, Biltmore Hotel. "By enabling hotel employees to scan information directly from the copier's LCD panel via Active Directory, the information goes straight into our own database software, reducing headaches and downtime." With the purchase of 14 color Sharp multifunctional copiers - models MX-3501N and MX-4501N - the ability to copy in both black-and-white and color across the network became a reality. However, in order to control employee usage, the machines were programmed to allow authentication to designated employees approved to make color copies or prints. This eliminated the costs of thousands of pages that could potentially have been copied throughout the company. Additionally, with Sharp OSA technology, the IT department can create individual user authentication codes as well as monitor usage remotely over the network. The IT department can run individual department reports (accounting, human resources, hospitality, etc.) outlining the amount of color prints/copies, black-and-white copies, faxes and scans that are made. This capability provides a real-time snapshot for evaluating equipment usage by different departments, and making necessary changes or adjustments. In addition to saving on cost-per-copy, the Biltmore Hotel is using Sharp OSA technology to enhance the company's scanning capabilities and integrate the ability for network scanning to email, eliminating the need for separate office scanners. This allows an employee to scan a document on the copier and send it directly to a recipient's email address or to their own email address. By utilizing the Sharp OSA-enabled devices, the hotel has greatly reduced the number of printers throughout their facilities, going from 46 printers down to 13. The Biltmore employees and management are using Sharp copiers for all document printing. Now, departments only need a quarter of the total budget previously spent on laser printer toner. "Our customers want tailored solutions that help them do business more efficiently," said Luis Gonzalez, President, Sharp Business Systems of South Florida, the Miami-based office equipment dealer. "Using Sharp OSA technology, we were able to offer the Biltmore Hotel a solution that would adapt to their business and solve their immediate needs to manage copier costs and speed workflow." Sharp OSA Technology Sharp OSA technology is a development platform designed for seamless integration with network applications. Designed to deliver the power of customization to the customer, Sharp OSA technology allows enterprises to leverage their back-end systems right from the MFP control panel. The technology manages the inherent interoperability of Web services design to enable Sharp, its dealer network and ISV partners to better meet customer needs. Sharp OSA technology is available now for Sharp's MX series models MX-M350, MX-M450, MX-M550, MX-M620, MX-M700, MX-2300, MX-2700, MX-3500, MX-3501, MX-4501, MX-5500, MX-6200, MX-6201N, MX-7000 and MX-7001N. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07430, or call 800-BE-SHARP. # # # Sharp OSA and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies. Microsoft, Windows Vista and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

"A document management system (DMS) is a computer system (or set of computer programs) used to track and store electronic documents and/or images of paper documents. The term has some overlap with the concepts of Content Management Systems and is often viewed as a component of Enterprise Content Management Systems and related to Digital Asset Management, Document imaging, Workflow systems and Records Management systems." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_management

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 20, 2008

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Fast Company magazine today named HP to its "Fast 50" list of the world's most innovative companies.In forming its rankings, announced in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company, the magazine placed a high premium on companies that had demonstrated significant innovation in 2007. HP invested $3.6 billion in R&D in 2006 to ensure that it continues to drive technological innovations for customers worldwide. HP's focus on innovation across its broad product portfolio helped boost the company's fiscal 2007 revenues to more than $100 billion, making it one of the world's largest IT companies. "We're proud to be included on Fast Company's top 50 list," said Michael Mendenhall, senior vice president, chief marketing officer, HP. "Our inclusion on the list reflects HP's strong tradition of innovation and reflects the hard work and success of all of HP's businesses." From green consumer-products phenomenon Method to 100-year-old Corning, the Fast 50 list recognizes companies that are redefining the rules of business through new ideas. Fast Company deployed dozens of reporters around the globe to gather data and interview experts and business leaders in every industry to get their nominations. The final 50 were selected from a list of 300 finalist companies. Actual rankings were determined by vote by a panel of editors and writers. Twelve of the 50 firms are based outside the United States; fifteen of the 50 are based in and around Silicon Valley. HP ranked no. 18. The complete list and related stories appear in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company magazine. Expanded profiles can be found at http://www.FastCompany.com/Fast50, where users can also nominate their own Fast 50 Reader Favorite.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

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© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2008--HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, 2008, with net revenue of $28.5 billion, up 13% from a year earlier and up 8% when adjusted for the effects of currency. In the first quarter, GAAP operating profit was $2.6 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.80, up from $0.55 in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP operating profit was $2.8 billion, with non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.86 up from $0.65 in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP financial information excludes $158 million of adjustments on an after-tax basis, or $0.06 per diluted share, related primarily to amortization of purchased intangibles. "We are raising our guidance yet again, reflecting our confidence in anticipated cost reductions and share gains in key markets," said Mark Hurd, HP chairman and chief executive officer. "We added more than 2,000 sales positions in the past year through acquisitions and hiring. HP remains well positioned for profitable growth as we continue to focus on our numerous cost initiatives and improve our market coverage."

                              Q1 FY08       Q1 FY07        Y/Y                             --------------------------------------- Net revenue ($B)            $     28.5   $       25.1           13%                             ------------ ------------- ------------ GAAP operating margin              9.2%           7.3%      1.9 pts                             ------------ ------------- ------------ GAAP net earnings ($B)      $      2.1   $        1.5           38%                             ------------ ------------- ------------ GAAP diluted EPS            $     0.80   $       0.55           45%                             ------------ ------------- ------------ Non-GAAP operating margin          9.9%           8.6%      1.3 pts                             ------------ ------------- ------------ Non-GAAP net earnings ($B)  $      2.3   $        1.8           25%                             ------------ ------------- ------------ Non-GAAP diluted EPS        $     0.86   $       0.65           32%                             ------------ ------------- ------------

Information about HP's use of non-GAAP financial information is provided under "Use of non-GAAP financial information" below. Revenue in the Americas grew 8% on a year-over-year basis to $11.2 billion. Revenue grew 15% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to $12.3 billion. Revenue grew 22% in Asia Pacific to $4.9 billion. When adjusted for the effects of currency, revenue in the Americas grew 7%, revenue in Europe, the Middle East and Africa grew 7%, and revenue in Asia Pacific grew 16%. Revenue from outside of the United States in the first quarter was 69%, with revenue in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) growing 35% over the prior-year period and accounting for 9% of total revenue. Personal Systems Group Personal Systems Group (PSG) revenue grew 24% year over year to $10.8 billion, with unit shipments up 27% on a year-over-year basis. Notebook revenue for the quarter grew 37% over the prior-year period, while desktop revenue grew 15%. Commercial client revenue grew 22% year over year, while Consumer client revenue increased 29%. Operating profit was $628 million, or 5.8% of revenue, up from $414 million, or 4.7% of revenue, in the prior-year period. Imaging and Printing Group Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) revenue grew 4% year over year to $7.3 billion. On a year-over-year basis, supplies revenue grew 6%, Commercial hardware revenue grew 7% and Consumer hardware revenue declined 5%. Printer unit shipments increased 1% year over year, with Consumer printer hardware units down 2% and Commercial printer hardware units up 13%. Momentum in key growth initiatives continued, with solid growth in both the Graphic Arts and the Enterprise businesses. Operating profit was $1.2 billion, or 15.7% of revenue, up from $1.1 billion, or 15.3% of revenue, in the prior-year period. Enterprise Storage and Servers Enterprise Storage and Servers (ESS) reported revenue of $4.8 billion, up 9% over the prior-year period fueled by ESS blades, which grew 81%. On a year-over-year basis, industry-standard server revenue increased 11%. Storage revenue grew 10%, with revenue growth of 14% in the midrange EVA line. Business critical systems revenue increased 1%, with Integrity systems growth of 37% offset by declines in PA-RISC and Alpha. Operating profit was $673 million, or 14.0% of revenue, up from $453 million, or 10.2% of revenue, in the prior-year period. HP Services HP Services (HPS) revenue increased 11% year over year to $4.4 billion. Revenue in Outsourcing Services grew 15%, followed by Consulting and Integration and Technology Services, which grew 13% and 9%, respectively, over the prior-year period. Operating profit was $489 million, or 11.2% of revenue, up from $406 million, or 10.3% of revenue, in the prior-year period. HP Software HP Software revenue grew 11% over the prior-year period to $666 million, led by 19% growth in the Business Technology Optimization portfolio. Operating profit was $51 million, or 7.7% of revenue, up from $18 million, or 3.0% of revenue, in the prior-year period. Financial Services HP Financial Services (HPFS) reported revenue of $642 million, an increase of 17% year over year. Financing volume and net portfolio assets increased 5% and 14%, respectively, over the prior-year period. Operating margin was 6.7% of revenue, up from 5.9% in the comparable period last year. Asset management HP generated $3.2 billion in cash flow from operations for the quarter. Inventory ended the quarter at $7.9 billion, down 6 days over the prior year. Accounts receivable of $12.4 billion were up 2 days over the prior-year period. Accounts payable ended the quarter at $11.2 billion down 6 days from the prior-year period. HP's dividend payment of $0.08 per share in the first quarter resulted in cash usage of $206 million. HP utilized $3.3 billion of cash during the first quarter to repurchase approximately 72 million shares of common stock from the open market. HP exited the quarter with $10.1 billion in gross cash, which includes cash and cash equivalents of $9.9 billion, short-term investments of $73 million, and certain long-term investments of $116 million. Outlook HP estimates Q2 FY08 revenue will be approximately $27.7 billion to $27.9 billion. Second quarter FY08 GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be approximately $0.77 to $0.78 and non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be approximately $0.83 to $0.84. Second quarter FY08 non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs of approximately $0.06 per share, related primarily to the amortization of purchased intangibles. HP estimates FY08 revenue will be approximately $113.5 billion to $114.0 billion. FY08 GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $3.26 to $3.30, and FY08 non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $3.50 to $3.54. FY08 non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs of approximately $0.24 per share, related primarily to the amortization of purchased intangibles. More information on HP's quarterly earnings, including additional financial analysis and an earnings overview presentation, is available on HP's Investor Relations website at www.hp.com/investor/home. More detailed information about the reclassification of HP's Business Intelligence and Information Management businesses from HP Services and ESS to HP Software and the reclassification of revenue among business units within PSG and IPG is included in the tables that follow this release. These reclassifications do not impact HP's previously reported consolidated net revenue, earnings from operations, net earnings or EPS. HP's Q1 FY08 earnings conference call is accessible via an audio webcast at www.hp.com/investor/q12008webcast. About HP HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com. Use of non-GAAP financial information To supplement HP's consolidated condensed financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, HP provides non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share and gross cash. HP also provides forecasts of non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of the adjustments to GAAP results for this quarter and prior periods is included in the tables below. In addition, an explanation of the ways in which HP management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its business, the substance behind HP management's decision to use these non-GAAP measures, the material limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP measures, the manner in which HP management compensates for those limitations, and the substantive reasons why HP management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors is included under "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" after the tables below. This additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit, operating margin, net earnings, diluted earnings per share, or cash and cash equivalents prepared in accordance with GAAP. Forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to any projections of revenue, margins, expenses, earnings, tax provisions, cash flows, benefit obligations, share repurchases or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations, including execution of cost reduction programs and restructuring plans; any statements concerning the expected development, performance or market share relating to products or services; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims or disputes; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; execution and performance of contracts by suppliers, customers and partners; the challenge of managing asset levels, including inventory; the difficulty of aligning expense levels with revenue changes; assumptions related to pension and other post-retirement costs; expectations and assumptions relating to the execution and timing of cost reduction programs and restructuring plans; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As in prior periods, the financial information set forth in this release, including tax-related items, reflects estimates based on information available at this time. While HP believes these estimates to be meaningful, these amounts could differ materially from actual reported amounts in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008. In particular, determining HP's actual tax balances and provisions as of January 31, 2008 requires extensive internal and external review of tax data (including consolidating and reviewing the tax provisions of numerous domestic and foreign entities), which is being completed in the ordinary course of preparing HP's Form 10-Q. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/. (C) 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Visit http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1109844&highlight= for full report

TechDirt last year had a blog posting titled Why Keep Personal Information on a Laptop When It’s Much Easier to Steal on a CD.

It is a pretty interesting article and points out that companies, like insurance companies, are not very careful with their data. How often do you compromise your security for a little convenience? – Corey Smith has fifteen years of document management industry experience and maintains the Master the Business blog.

"That networked multifunction printer sitting innocently in the corner of your office just might be the most significant entry point for hackers to hijack sensitive data from your business," warns an eWeek article today. "All the information that's being printed, scanned and faxed is susceptible to theft. Once under an attacker's control, it is simple to covertly save copies of other people's data on the machine's hard drive. With built-in network, fax/modem and network capabilities, there are a variety of ways to smuggle the stolen information out of an organization once it's been captured.” Although this article was released today, the studies it mentions are from nearly two years ago. Multi-function systems have made significant advancements in that period of time. Not to mention, the skill of authorized technicians that support these products. Sure, there are still risks, but those risks aren't any more significant than a computer or server sitting on your network. With the proper firewalls and security measures in place, you can secure your multi-function systems just like you can secure your desktop computers. But, the fact is, most companies aren't overly concerned about the security of a printed document. Most documents that we print aren't sensitive. But, if you do print sensitive documents, make sure that you only work with a vendor that understands the challenges and knows how to mitigate the risks. – Corey Smith has fifteen years of document management industry experience and maintains the Master the Business blog.

We have a lot of data that we use in business. How in the world can we begin to use it? Evan Goldberg of Inc. Magazine had a great article on using your information technology to understand your data better. Take a look here. It should help you get some ideas on how to increase your access to your own information. – Corey Smith has fifteen years of document management industry experience and maintains the Master the Business blog.

If you are looking to implement a scanning solution, it is very important that you have three, very important features. Those features are not scanning to email, scanning to folder and scanning to document management. Then, what do you think they are? Scan to email, folder and document management systems are very important features that can not be over looked. They are never the most critical components, but these are the features that most people consider. Most often, people forget to look at the most critical features first. Most Important Feature 1 - Ease of Use There are so many types of systems out there right now. Some are incredibly complicated. Some required too many buttons to push for something as simple as a scan to email. They require the push of one button to enter an email, the push of another button to add the subject and yet another button to add the note. Not to mention the little screens and virtual keyboards that make any button push cumbersome. Most Important Feature 2 - Tight Integration In order for your scanning solution to be effective, you should look for integration with your current environment. You shouldn’t have to come up with work-arounds to tie it seamlessly to your MS Exchange server. You should be able to send an email from your scanner and have the message appear automatically in your sent items folder. If you want to password protect the system, it should authenticate against your existing server and not have to create a new password system. More over, you want it to integrate with your document management system so that you don’t have to take extra steps to get your documents where you want them when you want them there. But, remember that the definition of "tight" depends on your situation and needs. Don't confuse a product's claim of integration for solving your particular needs. Most Important Feature 3 - Security and Compliance Did you know that most scan to email and scan to folder are open to abuse from malicious users? In most scan to email systems, I can send an email anonymously, or worse, put someone else’s name as the return address? Did you know that in most scan to folder locations, security settings need to be turned off so that scanning can work easily on the network. These problems allow for violations in regulatory compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and SOX. Don’t forget these key features when looking for a scanning solution. – Corey Smith has fifteen years of document management industry experience and maintains the Master the Business blog.

MAHWAH, NJ, January 8, 2008 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America’s multifunctional peripheral (MFP) copier product line has been honored with the coveted “Product Line of the Year” award from Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), a leading global provider of test reports on document imaging products. Cumulative test results in laboratory evaluations deemed Sharp’s entire MFP product line, both mono and color, to be best overall across the board. Additionally, for its exceptional reliability and superior performance, Sharp’s MX-M1100 has been named “Pick of the Year” in the high speed Segment 6 while the MX-M700N/U has been awarded “Pick of the Year” for “Outstanding Segment 5 Monochrome MFP” (81- to 90-PPM range), recognized for its class-leading security and set up. “This outstanding recognition from BLI validates our business strategy and proves our commitment to bringing exceptionally reliable, highly productive and easy-to-use products to market,” said Ed McLaughlin, president, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “This accomplishment embodies the close collaboration between our product planning teams in the U.S. and Japan and reflects the dedication of our dealers and factory in providing superior products that answer market demands. It also validates our strategy behind Sharp OSA™ technology in offering advanced MFP functionality and flexibility to provide applications tailored to the end user’s needs.” BLI bestows the “Line of the Year” award once annually to the company whose product line, as tested in BLI’s rigorous two-month laboratory evaluation, is determined to be the best overall based on cumulative test results. BLI tests each product in critical performance areas, including reliability, copy and print image quality, copy and print productivity and efficiency, ease of use and overall value. “To determine “Pick of the Year” winners, we test products thoroughly to ascertain which deliver the most extensive functionality and best reliability, handle multiple jobs simultaneously in a networked environment and deliver good output quality,” says BLI Lab Manager Pete Emory. “The exceptional results that Sharp’s MFPs have achieved over the last year for products in all categories during our exhaustive testing process demonstrate that business users can count on Sharp business products for high-quality performance.” With the “Pick of the Year” award for the MX-M1100, the entire Sharp high-speed production series has been honored with this distinction. The MX-M1100 is recognized for its ability to create one million impressions with no unscheduled maintenance and only three misfeeds, as well as the unit’s excellent multitasking abilities, superior scan functions and outstanding overall ease of use. The MX-M700N/U received the “Pick of the Year” award for its network setup and remote administration features, as well as the feedback provided to end users via the bundled drivers and utilities. The Sharp MX-M1100 and the MX-M700N/U MFPs combine reliability, superior scan functions, outstanding ease of use and multitasking performance while offering impressive print and copier speeds of 110 PPM and 70 PPM respectively. The M1100 and the M700N/U MFPs support the innovative Sharp OSA technology platform for seamless integration with network applications, as well as Sharp’s award-winning* security suite. The innovative Sharp OSA development platform opens the door to a broad array of value-added functionality and flexibility to deliver the power of customization to the customer. Sharp OSA technology leverages the inherent interoperability of Web services design to enable Sharp, its dealer network and ISV partners to meet customer needs effectively. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07430, or call 800-BE-SHARP.

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* In 2006 Sharp received the BERTL’s BEST “Most Secure MFP Range” award, and its color MX Series was the first color product line to achieve BERTL Five Star – Exceptional status throughout the entire line. © 2008 Sharp Electronics Corp Sharp and AQUOS are registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation All other marks are the property of their respective holders.