Hewlett-Packard said it <A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080915/ap_on_hi_te/hp_eds_restructuring">plans to slash 24,600 jobs</A> over the next three years, nearly 8 percent of its work force, as it combines operations with Electronic Data Systems, the technology-services company it recently acquired.

The cuts represent the Palo Alto-based company's most aggressive move yet to streamline its operations under Chief Executive Mark Hurd, who engineered the $13.9 billion acquisition to challenge IBM for more of the lucrative, long-term business of helping companies manage their computing infrastructure.