Hewlett-Packard wants to help businesses prepare for a turnaround

The problem is that companies cutting back on IT spending and keeping costs focused on short-term, critical projects may not have the money or influence to win money for anything long-term. If you work in any industry, is it harder to ask the board or the top management for any funds for any thing that is not mission critical? Compare your answer to a year ago. The answer was probably yes last year but a resounding no this year.

Still, HP gets credit for trying to drum up business and form more long-term strategic partnerships in a recession. It's offering new products and consulting services focused on taking a hard look at ROI while spending more smartly. Make no mistake about it, though: this is just the beginning of HP's complete assault on IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM) as the world's largest IT consulting and services provider. If you're into spending on some tech equities this year at bargain prices, HP may just be worth a look. HP CEO Mark Hurd is shaping up to be the hardest driver against IBM in over a decade, and there's plenty of money to be made once companies actually have it to spend.