An example of the point I am trying to make is that HP now has a consulting division that implements SAP (ERP) solutions for other companies. Why would you spen

An example of the point I am trying to make is that HP now has a consulting division that implements SAP (ERP) solutions for other companies. Why would you spend money acquiring businesses like that? Memristor is a great example. But how much time between nano technology research at HP labs and end-user products being released? main point being will the money spent on acquiring other businesses be rather well spent if invested in internal R&D to speedup things.