By Brandon Butler, Senior Editor, Network World |

About |

Cloud Chronicles is written by Network World Senior Writer Brandon Butler, who tracks the ins and outs of the cloud computing industry.

Don’t call it ‘HP Enterprise’

Hewlett Packard is very particular about its new name

HP Hewlett Packard Enterprise new signs — Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard split into two companies yesterday: One is Hewlett Packard Enterprise, or HPE, which will sell infrastructure to enterprises. The other is HP Inc., which is the company’s printers and PC business.

But whatever you do, don’t call the infrastructure business HP Enterprise.

+MORE AT NETWORK WORLD: Vote! Which is the better strategy? HP splitting up, or Dell buying EMC? | HP Split up: How did we get here? +

British newspaper The Register did, and got scolded. After referring to HPE as HP Enterprise, officials with the company requested that the reference be changed and the company only be referred to as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, or HPE.

HP Enterprise insists we don't call it that – here's what its PR sent in: pic.twitter.com/JaWRDp3SfZ
— The Register (@TheRegister) November 2, 2015

Why is the company being so persnickety about it? Probably because the names are confusing. They obviously want to keep the “HP” moniker to HP Inc. – the printer and PCs division. The new enterprise business name is meant to connote the original founders of the company, and be a more formal name: Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Plus, they don’t want people getting confused between HP Enterprise and HP Inc. Even though they inevitably will.

Join the Network World communities on Facebook and LinkedIn to comment on topics that are top of mind.

Data Center

Senior Editor Brandon Butler covers the cloud computing industry for Network World by focusing on the advancements of major players in the industry, tracking end user deployments and keeping tabs on the hottest new startups.