Corporate users will be able to access Yahoo's member service features, offered in conjunction with customized content behind a company's firewall, according to a knowledgeable source. The move comes as the leading portal tries to increase business services and the computer giant looks to emphasize its so-called e-services strategy.
The initiative will be similar to a May agreement with software maker Tibco, according to the source.
HP issued a press advisory saying an announcement would be made tomorrow at 9 a.m. but wouldn't confirm any details. Yahoo couldn't be reached for comment.
The partnership comes as Yahoo looks to expand the services it offers to businesses. The industry-leading portal is looking to find a more upscale market for its email, instant messaging, calendar, and address book services, not to mention the audio and video capabilities it acquired with the purchase of Broadcast.com.
Meanwhile, HP has been seeking to refashion itself as an Internet-savvy company, trying to win more customers doing business on the Internet.
Some industry analysts speculated the announcement could entail Yahoo's using HP technology to support its Web services, perhaps for a cut of revenue.
"Yahoo has been expanding its business services. It would make sense that they use HP technology--who better than HP, who has a reputation for reliability?," Rob Enderle, an analyst at market researcher Giga Information Group, told Bloomberg.
HP vice president Joe Beyers, in charge of HP's Internet business unit, will host the conference call tomorrow.
Bloomberg contributed to this report.
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