Agilent Splitting into two companies - new name? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:26:36 pm
content: This just came across the wire in our biotech new email. Agilent is splitting up. They are spinning off their electronics test equipment division, which is currently unnamed. While the life sciences division will retain the Agilent name.http://www.fiercemedicaldevices.com/press-releases/agilent-technologies-separate-two-industry-leading-public-companies

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:29:17 pm
content: Hmm, no comment on what it will be called. HP should close up and give them the name back for the T&M division...

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:50:58 pm
content: What will be the new name of Agilent?http://www.agilent.nl/about/newsroom/presrel/2013/19sep-gp13016.htmlThey are announcing a great opportunity for an extra high-value promotion on 1 October

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:54:55 pm
content: HP 2.0

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:56:43 pm
content: I think it would actually be really beneficial for HP to buy the Agilent T&M division. Having an engineering base like that can really benefit your consumer business with extra R&D. Such as engineering improved ASICs, wifi antennas, and ways to charge excessively for consumables like printer ink cartridges.That being said, I don't think it will ever happen.

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:57:19 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on September 19, 2013, 07:54:55 pmSounds good, easy for searching on epay and other sites

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:01:42 pm
content: Good: They get rid of that laughable name that always sounded like a name for a laxative. No surprise the medical division wants to keep it.Bad: They might get an even worse new name.Very bad: If Danaher would buy them ...

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:06:26 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on September 19, 2013, 07:56:43 pmAgilent was pushed out from HP because the company wanted to focus on consumer electronics markets. I doubt that HP would have any need for T&M nor would I think Agilent would want anything to do with HP.

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:16:07 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 19, 2013, 08:01:42 pmI have a feeling that antitrust laws would have something to say about that. Hopefully.I'm throwing in a vote for "HB".

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:36:04 pm
content: Quote from: skipjackrc4 on September 19, 2013, 08:16:07 pmWith all the new Asian players in the market ...QuoteOk, some random guesses:They license HP from HP.They license Agilent from Agilent.Escort - they bought them and probably own the name.Testlent, Agiletest, Escolent, Agicort - or some similar nonsense.TCFKAHPAA - The company formerly known as HP and Agilent

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:36:45 pm
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on September 19, 2013, 07:50:58 pmEgilent (which also means eminent), "E" being the electronics measurement divisionbut then, that's too simple

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:39:19 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 19, 2013, 08:36:04 pm

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:39:51 pm
content: Rigol will buy that test equipment division, no doubt

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:43:31 pm
content: I'll never be an MBA. But I admire how they can spin mergers and acquisitions and divestitures so well. When two unrelated companies merge, they make it sound like this is a wonderful move that will accomplish such synergy. When one big company splits, it's a wonderful move that will allow each company to focus so well. It's a wonderful move either way, and either way, the executives at the top make huge bonuses for doing splitting or merging operations.I first became acquainted with HP through their test equipment, and the "real" HP, to me, will always be the folks who made signal generators, power supplies, meters, oscilloscopes, and the things you find on a bench at an EE lab. Bill and Dave made the 200A audio oscillator, not overpriced ink cartridges. It's a shame the real HP lost the name in the previous divorce.

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:50:00 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 19, 2013, 08:36:04 pmUntil the new name is announced, I see no choice but to refer to Agilent as The Company Soon to be Known as the Company Formerly Known as the Company Formerly Known as HP.(TCSTBKASCFKATCFKAH).

author: IntegratedValve
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 08:51:57 pm
content: RigolentAgiletronixGaaa Gaaa Gooo

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:02:50 pm
content: Wow thats interesting. Another name change huh? Wonder what itll be.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:10:42 pm
content: I'm barely used to calling them Agilent

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:17:26 pm
content: Quote from: AG6QR on September 19, 2013, 08:43:31 pmdon't underestimate MBAs logic, there will be one or more thinking right now "HP as name back again would bring even more $$$, so let's do it"

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:23:37 pm
content: Unfortunately, the outcome of many of these "great" management decisions is the R&D section gets flushed down the shitter, so probably goodbye to half of the brains trust of agilent

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:29:34 pm
content: Yeah, this could be the beginning of the end for whatever is left of the test equipment company.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:33:15 pm
content: Quote from: notsob on September 19, 2013, 09:23:37 pmSigh, this is likely to be the outcome..

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:33:46 pm
content: Quote from: skipjackrc4 on September 19, 2013, 08:16:07 pmThere is no talk of selling it, just splitting into two pubic companies.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:35:46 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 19, 2013, 09:33:46 pmI think he was referring to the post above his that postulated a Donaher takeover.

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:37:01 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on September 19, 2013, 09:35:46 pmThis.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:37:45 pm
content: That is a truly frightening idea. The stuff of nightmares.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:44:01 pm
content: Danaher were free to have a crack at Agilent before at time time they liked, now it just makes a bit of them a slightly more affordable target.The wildest of wild speculations. But yes, the stuff of nightmares.

author: havard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:55:12 pm
content: Packard & Hewlett

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:01:18 pm
content: In the conference call Q&A they say that as they grew the LDA division (health care, biological, life science etc) their investor base changed.They said the new health care focused investors don't understand the test & measurement industry and its volatility.Seemed like it reached a breaking point, once Agilent got classified as a health care business...

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:13:26 pm
content: Agilent &_Agilent

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:20:47 pm
content: Agilent is only interested in selling devices when they can make a fortune of each one. With Chinese companies like Rigol selling T&M equipment for much smaller profit margins than what Agilent is used to, they are giving up on the market. Advanced science equipment like biotech and medical devices still can sell for a fortune per unit simply because hobbyist haven't gotten in and demanded competitive pricing.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:21:18 pm
content: BTTR : Back To The Roots (Pronounced BETTER)ND : Not Danaher

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:24:59 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on September 19, 2013, 10:21:18 pmI like ND. BTTR looks like it should be pronounced "butter"...

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:25:57 pm
content: Quote from: tinhead on September 19, 2013, 08:39:51 pmYou may be right about that. OTOH Rigol seems to do just fine on their own. It would make more sense for Siglent/Atten to buy it.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:27:00 pm
content: That's almost as terrifying as Danaher buying it...

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:27:54 pm
content: I'm pretty sure Agilent has the $5,000+ market without having to worry about Rigol etc. That might not be true in the next few years though.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:30:14 pm
content: BTW I wonder what will happen with USA economics...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:41:51 pm
content: They should buy B & D and use their name.Bill & Dave's Excellent Adventure

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:54:02 pm
content: That would confuse them with Black & Decker

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:55:45 pm
content: Quote from: olsenn on September 19, 2013, 10:20:47 pmNone of the Chinese manufacturers even come close to Agilent at anything beyond the advanced hobbyist level. Rigol has nothing in the 50GHz+ network analyzer range, and won't for a while (if ever). At my research lab, I use RF cables that cost $2000 a piece. Hint: they're not made in China. There is still big money here.

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:57:49 pm
content: Agilent T&M encompasses a lot more that what we might at initial blush consider part of the division. Like all the microwave component technologies (own GaAs foundry etc.), and the quite expensive EDA software packages.Not sure the hobbyist market even figures into the equation...

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:10:24 pm
content: [Current PC company usurping the glorious name] Hewlett Packard has a market cap of about USD 41B, so a lease / hostile takeover of the old name seem pretty unlikely. Currently Agilent, the whole shebang, has a cap of 'just' USD 17B, give or take.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:13:24 pm
content: 1234A

author: chrisbrown
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:23:35 pm
content: Insight

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:35:18 pm
content: I don't think this name change will phase the T&M people much.Whichever name the T&M group assumes will quickly earn just as good of a reputation. After all, Agilent became a leader in test measurement shortly after breaking off from HP; why couldn't they to do it again?Agilent is a strong brand name. I suspect that the suits in charge gave the brand over to the life science and chemical analysis groups because they are comparatively less capable of standing on their own. Those groups are fairly new for the company (mostly acquisitions of local startups in the last decade). They know that the test measurement group will go on business as usual and companies will still buy their products regardless of name.

author: Kryoclasm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:42:38 pm
content: Quote from: skipjackrc4 on September 19, 2013, 10:55:45 pmTrue for now, but China has been improving in quality and expertise and a exponential rate.Think Japan in the 70's.I would not be surprised if Chinese companies not just Rigol started to be real competition in all high end electronic markets in the next decade.Or I could be dead wrong, what do I know?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:04:58 am
content: Quote from: Kryoclasm on September 19, 2013, 11:42:38 pmFew other companies could match Agilent in the high end stuff, it's just not possible from many aspects like the culture of high tech investment, talent, and market focus point of view. I don't think you'll see Rigol roll their own custom hybrid ASIC 50GHz front ends any time soon, or most likely, never.These Chinese (and other) smaller companies are pretty much systems integrators that are interested in the mass market. i.e. designing products using existing off-the-shelf components. Some innovation happens in this space to be sure, but it's not Agilent leading edge innovation.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:06:23 am
content: How many high priced branding consultants do you think they have working on this right now?

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:10:56 am
content: Doc sneers and remarks, "No wonder this circuit failed; it says 'Made in Japan'." Marty replies, "What do you mean, Doc? All the best stuff is made in Japan."Replace Japan with China...

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:15:33 am
content: Considering their current name sounds like it should be an arthritis medication or laxative, I'm going somewhere between "none" and 0.5.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:17:25 am
content: Probe-on! Apply directly to your circuit! Probe-on! Apply directly to your circuit! Probe-on! Apply directly to your circuit! Probe-on! Apply directly to your circuit!

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:18:16 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on September 20, 2013, 12:17:25 amThat's what you call it now?

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:25:34 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 20, 2013, 12:06:23 amI count roughly 20 in this thread so far....

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:34:05 am
content: Does Rigol haveanycustomer ASICs? Or do they use only other manufacturer's FPGAs and ADCs?

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:59:14 am
content: New name ... Rigol

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:23:29 am
content: Since the acquisition byS-iglentO-wonA-ttenR-igol consortium, these guys feel they had enough of hearing people calling them One Hung Low all the time, so they named it .....SOARDefinition- To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.- To climb swiftly or powerfully.- To ascend suddenly above the normal or usual level

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:33:23 am
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on September 20, 2013, 12:34:05 amWell there's that, but I don't remember what it was offhand, I think an ADC. It could easily be made by anyone and rebranded.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:37:43 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on September 20, 2013, 01:33:23 amYes, it is, it is not Rigol's. Someone posted the part number, I think it was a National part.Anyone can get a manufacturer to rebrand the chip if you order enough of them.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:40:31 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on September 20, 2013, 01:23:29 amSOAR used to exist (still around?), it was my first ever digital multimeter.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:55:57 am
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on September 19, 2013, 09:35:46 pmThis is a very possible scenario and plan that have been laid down for a while.I read it somewhere that T&M industry basically is dead since the end of cold war, they reached their glorious days at 80s or early 90s. During cold war regime since end of WW2 up to the dismissal of USSR, US military spending during that era was the key for the major technological breakthroughs and advancements in T&M since Pentagon simply swallowed what they choked down to it's throat, its basically with unlimited budget. Now they're serving only in cellular and computing industries which has so limited scope, and also very competitive and prone to price sensitive.I guess Danaher saw this few decades ago and starting to swallow all of those exotic technologies IP, cause it is very unlikely T&M industry can afford the R&D budget that they had in the golden era.If you truly believe in capitalism, then you must admit that Danaher beats Agilent out of the water in term of the last ten years performance after seeing this chart ->DanaherVSAgilent, just look at the right Y axis to have clue.PS : I wonder if I should start to consider some stocks "restructuring" in my portfolio.... j/k

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:02:53 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on September 20, 2013, 01:55:57 amUgh... I "believe in" capitalism to the extent that I recognize that businesses which make more money are more likely to succeed. But this sort of "survival of the fittest" is as cold and blind as natural selection. It's a force that exists and that's that - not a figure on which to judge merit. I have, however, noticed that many of the businesses which perform the best financially are the ones I find least deserving of my respect.IOW, screw Danaher.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:14:05 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on September 20, 2013, 02:02:53 amThey just don't care, respect or not, as long people are buying their product, or even better "forced" to buy since there are no longer any serious peer competitors, trust me, they will sleep very-very well at every night, and wake up every morning with very happy feeling that the world is a great place.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:26:39 am
content: I always used to figure that greedy bastards convinced themselves that they weren't greedy. Having experienced a few since then, I can now say that they agree that they are greedy, and what they manage to convince themselves of is that greed is actually a good thing.Yes, they sleep very well at night. I wish I could sleep as well as them.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 03:32:52 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on September 20, 2013, 02:26:39 amReminds me of the character Gordon Gekko, who said "Greed is Good" in the movieWall Street, and was a true believer of that philosophy.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:41:08 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 20, 2013, 12:04:58 amThey don't need to be matched to get into trouble, the Chinese companies just have to keep moving up the value chain.QuoteInnovation is nice, selling decade old innovation at huge margins when NRE costs have long since been recovered is nicer. That second part is getting hit.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:57:45 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on September 20, 2013, 01:55:57 amDo you think the US military budget has gone down after the cold war?QuoteNo one would doubt Danaher and their "Danaher system" isn't incredibly profitable. In fact it i pretty legendary for it in the business world.Shame about the companies that get caught up in the wreckage.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 07:20:42 am
content: Quote from: casinada on September 19, 2013, 10:54:02 pmThey could put a "W" in the middle & move their production facilties to Oz!(Oz in-joke!)

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 07:56:55 am
content: New name for Agilent if and when Danaha buy them out. "Pestilent"

author: calmtron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 08:11:11 am
content: Negligent

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 08:49:56 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 20, 2013, 12:06:23 amThe word from inside TCFKAHPAA is they won't go with a brand consultant company this time, and employees can make suggestions. Well, I don't think they will manage without help. Just checking if a name does not mean something strange in any of the countries they do business is a huge task. Or doing trademark applications for maybe 100 countries and buying all the domain names ... My guess would be they will again have one freaking expensive company.I remember the fuss HP made about finding the name that turned out to be Agilent. They used Landor Associates last time. When they announced the new name after something like four month of searching the world was laughing about what they did find - a name for a laxative.Regarding names, maybe they can get Compaq or DEC from HP. HP should still own them. But the already mentioned Rigolent sounds good, too. Almost like the operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoletto

author: israel
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 09:10:07 am
content: "Eagilent" to keep the pull of its current name

author: KedasProbe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 09:24:16 am
content: Agent

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:13:33 pm
content: Pewlett Hackard

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:15:54 pm
content: Lentagi. Sort of like a luxury car marque but for T&M.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:16:10 pm
content: They could always go back to Harrison.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:19:58 pm
content: When in high school I did home deliveries in the evenings for a take away called "Very Good Chinese Food", so I vote for "Very Good Electronics Equipment".

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:36:54 pm
content: MaybeApplentcan buy themIt contains the new buzzword "App" and they already have a rich portfolio of Agilent look-a-like equipment

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:42:05 pm
content: What other anagrams of genital would work?

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 01:02:44 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 20, 2013, 12:42:05 pmOh dear god.NiteGal

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:54:39 pm
content: Quote from: skipjackrc4 on September 19, 2013, 10:55:45 pmAll the more reason for the Chinese to buy themselves into that market. The Chinese have lots of cash lying around so for them its just a matter of deciding which cherry to pick.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:57:14 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on September 20, 2013, 02:54:39 pmThat's the thing, they never seem to bother with the high hanging fruit.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 03:25:08 pm
content: This is fascinating and I write this (virtually) on the eve of joining the T&M industry myself.In the published statement from Agilent there were two interesting lines about the split:LDA: "FY13 estimated revenues are $3.9 billion. It is expected that the new Agilent will continue to pay a dividend at least at the present yield."EM: "FY13 estimated revenues are $2.9 billion. The EM company initially is not expected to pay a dividend."My reading is that T&M does not make a profit and is going to have to stand very much on it's own two feet from now on. My guess is that depending on management flavour & skill, they'll either emerge from this like Apple did with the iPod - or they'll suffer death by a thousand cuts and end up as the name badge on #*£%$ gear.I personally hope for the former and Aspire to owning more of their gear. But sadly I expect the later (although all those nice little spin off companies will be interesting).I also never understood why they created Agilent in the first place - If GE can put their name on loco's, jet engines, light bulbs, finance AND life sciences, why couldn't HP.?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:04:55 pm
content: Never underestimate HP's propensity to screw things up. Case in point: the acquisition and eventual write-off of Palm.

author: TRa757
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 12:18:39 am
content: Shouldn't this thread be in the Test Equipment forum?I never liked HP scopes back in the 80's but there isn't another scope I would spend my money on these days. I agree, Meg should have a sit down with the T&M group and see what they could come up with. HP Labs is working on some very cool things right now and it would seem that Agilent T&M labs is coming up with some cool tech also. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. T&M gets their name back and HP gets to play in the T&M arena again. Who knows, it might workout well!Tim

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 01:20:20 am
content: If you look at the Agilent homepage, next to the electronic test & measurement there is a notice for "52 new power supplies".I wonder what the engineering cost is on spinning 52 separate products? Not just engineering, but safety testing, EMI compliance, manuals, paperwork, BOMs for all of them...What can one supply do that the other cannot? The main differentiators appears to be power output, voltage, etc., fair enough, but couldn't they make a modular system with many individual power supply modules in parallel, rather than many different products? Sort of like the Tek plugin system on older scopes.It seems a little over-eager. Maybe one reason they're losing money there. But I'm not an expert, perhaps this is the most economical way to do it.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 02:04:27 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on September 21, 2013, 01:20:20 amIf the basic design is the same then safety testing etc is a matter of testing one product and putting stickers on the rest. In the past I have designed a piece of hardware which in the end got used as 10 different products. It just depended on the firmware.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 04:32:48 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on September 21, 2013, 01:20:20 amHP/Agilent have always offered a plethora of power supply models, for many decades now, so there must be an industry need for it. They'd have theproduction down pat so it doesn't cost them much.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 05:32:12 am
content: eTekulent.The company that once was great, descending further into the morals-mincer of corporate person-hood, surrounded by the poison sea of a socialist, fiat-currency, structurally untenable, corrupt and imploding economy.Yep, I'm a bit pessimistic about this.Where can I go to put flowers on the grave of the original HP?I miss them so much.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 06:58:41 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on September 21, 2013, 05:32:12 amQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteP.S. This took a while...

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 04:00:33 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on September 21, 2013, 06:58:41 amThat is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 04:12:07 pm
content: Quote from: skipjackrc4 on September 21, 2013, 04:00:33 pm+1

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 04:19:35 pm
content: The new name is obvious-----T & M !!Or they could go with EME!Or,OAT (Oscilloscopes and things)

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 05:08:04 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on September 21, 2013, 04:19:35 pmACME

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 07:49:47 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on September 20, 2013, 12:42:05 pmI know it isn't an anagram, but there is a fashion here in the UK of taking something obvious and adding -ica on to the word, to make a corporate name. So how about Testica? If you wanted to promote the analysis side, you could call yourself TesticAnal.I suppose if you wanted it to be more trendy and clueless, you could be iTestica. or DotiTestica. Chances are the new name is going to be a load of balls anyway.HPTM would be fine by me. Tell your market that you are engineer driven, not marketing exec driven. Hewlett Packard Test and Measurement.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 09:17:54 pm
content: Quote from: Zad on September 21, 2013, 07:49:47 pmAnd their calibration service could be called TestiCal

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 09:19:41 pm
content: Sagan Instruments.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2013, 11:56:28 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 21, 2013, 05:08:04 pmThey would always have a guaranteed customer base in Warner Bros!There used to be a manufacturer of Coax connectors (good ones,too!) in Oz called ACME.They put up with the Wyle.E.Coyote jokes for years!

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2013, 11:52:24 am
content: Agilent Commercial Measurement Equipment AKA ACME