Dive Brief:

• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced Thursday it's launching a new technology services organization focused on helping companies fast-track digital transformation efforts. 
• The service, called Pointnext, will include 25,000 specialists in 80 countries focused on cloud computing and hybrid IT, big data and analytics, the Intelligent Edge and Internet of Things (IoT). Pointnext will provide three types of services: advisory and transformation, professional, and operational, according to announcement. 
• "Digital transformation is driving an incredible pace of change for our industry and our customers' needs are evolving just as quickly," said Antonio Neri, executive vice president and general manager of the Enterprise Group at HPE.

Dive Insight:

HPE has been struggling lately, so the new service may be part of CEO Meg Whitman’s continued strategy to refocus the organization and improve profits. Last month, HPE announced its Q1 revenues were down 10% and the company cut its full-year profit forecast. 

While consulting services aren’t HPE’s traditional sweet spot, Whitman may be looking to capitalize on growing demand for such services brought on by digital transformation. Businesses are looking for consultants to help them envision how technology can change the way they do business.

HPE isn’t the only company looking to answer the demand. Last month, Accenture announced it will open 10 new innovation hubs around the U.S. to serve clients working to compete in the digital economy, particularly in digital, cloud and security-related services. Meanwhile, Accenture’s primary competitor, Deloitte, announced it plans to launch an AWS-dedicated cloud practice with 2,500 practitioners.