Hewlett-Packard announced large-scale layoffs today in its division that provides technology services to other businesses. Approximately 9,000 employees will be laid off as the company automates its commercial data centers.

"We believe that these sets of actions will enable HP to grow better than the market," said Ann Livermore, executive vice president for HP Enterprise Business, in a conference call with analysts.

The company will make the cuts over the next three years, and expects to save $500 million to $700 million annually as a result. It will offset the layoffs by hiring 6,000 employees in its global sales and delivery sectors.