Features

HP to stop using some infrastructure software lines

Staff
Tuesday July 16, 2002

PALO ALTO — Technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co. announced Monday it is discontinuing software products for corporate networks that came with a $450 million acquisition in 2000. 

The decision affects nearly 500 people in HP’s “middleware” division in Mount Laurel, N.J., outside Philadelphia. Some employees will find work elsewhere in HP, and others will be laid off — though the cuts will be part of the 15,000 already being carried out because of the $19 billion acquisition of Compaq Computer Corp., HP spokeswoman Sherri Stuart said. 

The discontinued products are middleware, which is necessary for Internet-based business applications. Most of the technology came on board when HP bought Bluestone Software Inc. 

HP hoped the Bluestone products would invigorate its software business and support the company’s bid to offer a wider array of Internet services to large companies.