There are shades of Microsoft’s tilt at Yahoo in Hewlett Packard’s play for Electronic Data Systems.

Like Microsoft, HP is a mature technology giant seeking to expand its horizons – in this case, the market for IT consulting. EDS represents an established brand hailing from the earliest days of systems outsourcing – much as Yahoo is a much-loved oldie in the web sector. And just as Microsoft wanted Yahoo as a way of mounting a challenge to Google, HP’s interest in EDS stems from a desire to compete more effectively with IBM.