[EDIT: We got the interview. Details to come in
The Beat.]
After The Beat's two recent stories about Microsoft and EDS teaming up for airline and travel technology, two readers asked if we knew whether the cooperation would "have legs" following the expected Hewlett-Packard acquisition of EDS, announced today.
Our answer is: We have no idea, but we hope it doesn't hurt our chances for an interview with Microsoft.
According to one reader's speculation, "While there is some consistency in culture and approach, H-P will have their hands full in integrating and gaining synergies that the deal must be predicated on. I’m not an M&A guy, but if the deal goes through, some EDS initiatives will wither. That said, I wouldn’t expect H-P to unwind this kind of program. It may roll up all the EDS travel and transport activities into a new, enlarged sector-focused unit."