(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Micrsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) is clearly trying to get an edge over the competition, after announcing that it had struck a deal with Hewlett-Packard Co (NYSE: HPQ).

The partnership would boost Microsoft's web-search abilities, a move that is clearly aimed at competing with rivals Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Yahoo Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO).

NewsVisual quickly created an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map to help visualize how common corporate connections may have factored into promoting this deal. Microsoft and HP are shown to be well connected through both past and current Directors and Executives, which could have been critical to securing the parternship.

Specifically, Microsoft Director Raymond Gilmartin is shown to have strong ties to HP Director Robert L Ryan as well as to former HP veteran Executive Antonio M Perez.  Gilmartin and Ryan serve together as Directors of General Mills, and the Microsoft Director is also a member of the Business Roundtable with Perez.

These connections and others shared between Microsoft and HP may have been key in sparking discussions and facilitating the partnership agreement, much to Google and Yahoo's dismay.