HP Inc. CEO Dion Weisler: Dell Will Be Distracted By Merger, Partners Will Be Agitated

New HP Inc. CEO Dion Weisler on Monday told employees that Dell's blockbuster acquisition of EMC is going to spell trouble for partners and opportunity for HP.

"Change equals opportunity," said Weisler in an email to employees of HP Inc., the $55 billion PC and printing business set to officially spin out on its own Nov. 1. "It gives us a chance to be even more focused. Dell will be distracted and their customers and partners will be agitated. Seize the opportunity by reaching out to our current customers and partners, as well as aggressively pursue Dell accounts. We are the industry pillar of strength right now."

The CEO for a CRN Solution Provider 500 HP Inc. partner, who did not want to be identified, said Dell is going to face enormous integration challenges with the $67 billion deal, which could cause the onetime PC kingpin to take its eye off its PC business.

[Related: HP CEO Whitman: Dell-EMC Will 'Cause Chaos In The Channel']

"It's going to be a monumental task for Dell to integrate EMC," said the CEO. "Dell is going to be focusing on the enterprise market -- not the PC business."

Referring to the uncertainty and turmoil that came when HP considered strategic options for its PC business four years ago, Weisler said: "From our own experience in years past, we know how distracting and damaging uncertainty can be. This is our time to be aggressive and show the world how we engineer experiences that amaze. We have three weeks before the end of the quarter -- remain 1000 percent focused on finishing strong and take this opportunity to accelerate into Q1 with momentum as HP Inc."

Weisler said he remains convinced that HP's strategy to split into two companies was "absolutely the right" decision.

"As HP Inc., we will be more focused, able to invest in our business, operate with greater speed and agility and have the opportunity to define our culture and our future," he told HP Inc. employees. "We are 100 percent committed to the Printing and Personal Systems businesses."

Weisler noted that he was with channel partners at the Canalys conference overseas last week and "their feedback about our strategy and execution through the separation was extremely positive."

"I am very excited for the future of HP Inc.," said Weisler. "Let’s go win together!"

PUBLISHED OCT. 12, 2015