Merged IT companies make fresh start.

(From Manila Standard)

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Nilo Cruz, who used to be president and managing director of Compaq Philippines, was appointed to head the new Hewlett-Packard's local office, edging out Raymund del Val, the former HP boss.

After all, HP's $19 billion global merger with Compaq, the third largest computer company in the world, in September last year left the former as the surviving entity. It was considered to be the biggest merger in the history of information technology.

But even before the acquisition, Compaq Philippines had shown convincing numbers despite the faltering economic situation in the past several years. The figures also defied the uncertainty brought on by knowing that a company name that had existed for almost 20 years will soon cease to be.

On the other hand, the local HP printed a lot of documents, presumably blank, and lost the numbers game which could have turned the tide in its favor. So entered the Compaq people.

Cruz has been in the IT business since 1979. With a management and industrial engineering degree from Mapua Institute of Technology and a masters in business administration from De La Salle Business School, he spent 19 years with IBM Philippines. He went on to become president and chief executive officer of DataCraft Asia until 1999 when he joined Compaq.

With his extensive experience in the IT industry, Cruz shaped an effective business atmosphere in Compaq in terms of performance. It was this reputation that got him the top post at HP.