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Top Ten Server Firms: Who’s Up, Who’s Not

Who’s up and who’s down in the server world? Specifically, who’s expected to elbow out the competition to grab a few more points of precious market share? Kenneth Hess opines. There are companies that stir up interest and there are those that should go quietly into the annals of history. The following 10 companies bear […]

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Hess Kenneth

Jun 16, 2011

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Who’s up and who’s down in the server world? Specifically, who’s expected to elbow out the competition to grab a few more points of precious market share? Kenneth Hess opines.

There are companies that stir up interest and there are those that should go quietly into the annals of history.

The following 10 companies bear watching in the coming months. Some of these companies some will be unveiling new software, new contracts, new innovations, and expansion into new horizons. We will give these companies a “buy.” others are in a hold pattern, and we will label them as such, as they linger a while longer for observation. The remainder are sinking the innovation ship, and we will mark them with a “sell.”

Note that this list is about innovation, cloud computing, service offerings, and the future of these companies as seen from the eyes of a technical observer. The list has nothing to do with company stability, stock prices or inside information of any kind.

1. HP (Buy)

HP has turned itself into a formidable technology competitor in the past few years with its new CEO, purchase of EDS, and going head-to-head and winning against IBM for major contracts. HP (NYSE: HPQ) has fully engaged its innovation machine and is ready to take on the challenges of agile enterprise computing, including cloud and mobile. It’s an exciting time at HP. Leo Apotheker at the helm means new life for the company, where innovation and the original HP ideals will thrive.

Steve Jobs is sold on HP, and Steve knows what’s right and wrong with the technical world. A true Apple and HP collaboration would be a significant win for both companies.

If HP continues on its current path, IBM may have to stare at someone else’s exhaust pipe for a change. Keep a close watch on that rear view mirror, IBM; for you, HP means “Hot Pursuit.” Innovation, support and new leadership make HP a strong buy.

2. IBM (Buy)

Anyone who knows IBM’s history also knows that IBM (NYSE: IBM) is the world’s most innovative company. It holds thousands of patents. It invented cloud computing and virtualization. It was international before international was cool. It’s where innovation got its definition. In the dictionary, next to the word, “innovation,” it says, “See IBM.” Its people are the best trained and the happiest group of tech folk that you’ll ever meet. And, it’s profitable.

What’s the secret? It’s IBM. It’s a brand. It changes with the times. It has always had some of the best minds on the planet working on obscure projects and products that we now take for granted.