DELL
Dell was established in the UK in 1987, initially to sell and manufacture desktop PCs for the UK market. Since this time, it has introduced a range of hardware, systems integration and third party software, preinstalled on equipment purchased directly from Dell, plus peripheral products.
Dell complements its product offering with a complete range of services. Dell's customer base includes large corporate and public sector customers (including Tesco.com, Newcastle City Council, Middlesex University, Honeywell and Axa), in addition to medium and small UK businesses, and consumers.
Since its launch in the UK more than 18 years ago, Dell has introduced notebook computers (1991) and its first server product - the PowerEdgeTM range in 1996. Following the success of these product introductions into the UK and its growing dominance and acceptance as a top tier player in the market, Dell launched its first workstation computer, the PrecisionTM range. Dell then further expanded its enterprise offering with the launch of the PowerVaultTM storage family in 1998. This was followed by a strategic partnership agreement between Dell and EMC, announced in 2001, which has proved critical to the success of Dell's enterprise strategy.
In addition to its product portfolio, Dell UK has expanded its services portfolio that consists of products and services designed to maximise customers' investments. Dell provides a complete end-to-end portfolio of computing technology solutions that extends far beyond hardware, maintenance and support. From assessment, design and implementation services through to managed client services support.
In line with Dell's goal to help customers derive maximum value from their IT infrastructure investments, Dell acquired ACS, a UK-based IT services company in November 2006. The acquisition was to provide business customers with infrastructure consulting and customised application services. With the expertise acquired with ACS, Dell extends its existing capabilities to support the full lifecycle of its customers' application deployments. By engaging earlier in the planning phases, Dell can help ensure critical changes such as Microsoft Vista migrations and application consolidations.
ACS' application services include a technical process called application packaging in which installation or "setup" routines are written, modified or enhanced to meet individual customer's needs. Since the packaging service can be centrally located, Dell will deliver this offering for customers worldwide. In addition, ACS has "best-of-class" infrastructure consulting capabilities in the areas of virtualisation, security and Microsoft products.