Dell Channel Blog

The economy has always been a challenge, particularly in the last year. So many of your customers have delayed buying new business computers. But thanks to companies like Intel – and of course, Dell – the Laptops and desktops we have today are so much more powerful, efficient and cost effective; it is hard to NOT buy a new one.

This is an interview with Eric Townsend, Market Development Manager at Intel, where we discuss how new PCs can actually lower costs for your customers, AND generate services opportunities. (16 minutes)  Listen to it HERE

Selecting the right business PC can be hard, if only for the fact that there are so many options, brands, and types.  So we had an opportunity to interview Sam Miller, who is a sales leader in Dell's SMB group.  In the video, he shares how to turn the sales conversation from "I have $900 to spend...what do you have?" to one that identifies how the PC is used, who is using it, and what their needs are.  From this, a channel partner can turn a price conversation to one that yields sales of other hardware, software and services.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

Click here to view the video.

Yesterday Dell launched the OptiPlex 780 USFF (Ultra-small form factor) desktop,  It is billed as the worlds smallest fully-functional commercial desktop, and includes an integrated power supply and Intel vPro technology.

As you probably know, Dell channel partners sell a LOT of desktops, so you'll really be interested in this product for your customers.

Read the ZDNet article here

Loyalty is an interesting thing.  So many factors go into it – tangible and intangible.  But it takes only one experience to break it forever.  So when the recent Technology Business Research, Inc. report came out on laptop PCs (“Notebooks:  Corporate IT Buying Behavior & Customer Satisfaction Survey”) comparing the big three (Dell, HP and Lenovo), the results were pretty interesting.  Every vendor won in some category, but Dell excelled on “Customer Loyalty.” In fact, Dell’s customer loyalty rating was twice as high as the next vendor, and was significantly higher than the industry average.  What’s more, the loyalty gap continues to widen – Dell customers are getting even more loyal.

The question is why Dell buyers are more loyal.  Do they get better value?  Or a lower total cost of ownership?  What about design, reliability or delivery?  And why, over the past TEN reporting periods, has Dell held the record of 38 number 1 ratings – two times more than the next company?

As a channel partner you have your opinions.  So why not share them below, or on Dell PartnerStorm.

Dell and Symantec today announced a new program aimed at helping their channel partners more effectively develop their systems management businesses.  The DMC Partner Enablement Program, based on the benefits from the Dell Management Console (DMC) powered by Symantec, provides partners with a new set of opportunities to generate customer leads and drive new product and services revenue in systems management. 

The DMC unifies the management of key business processes and tasks under a simple, integrated architecture and provides a centralized view of a customer’s enterprise-wide IT assets.  It is a flexible console that can scale from basic hardware management to more advanced functionality, enabling channel partners to build solutions that grow with their customers. Because the solution is heterogeneous and can manage an entire IT environment, channel partners have the opportunity to build on the platform, adding in their own services and intellectual property.

The new DMC Partner Enablement program provides Dell and Symantec partners worldwide with fully-integrated training resources, tools and programs to help them incorporate their own services with the Dell Management Console to create differentiated solutions and drive new product and service revenue. 

The program also provides unique business development support and activities to help channel partners generate and qualify new customers leads with the goal of growing new business.

To participate in the program, partners must be a member of either the Dell or the Symantec partner programs and must take the DMC online course. Qualifying partners receive training, qualified customer leads and assistance in deploying solutions, and also qualify for market development funds.. 

The program, which launched in early October in North America (U.S. and Canada), launched in 11 countries in Western Europe and 39 countries in Asia in late October.  To date, almost 1,000 users have registered for the program in the U.S.

“Dell is excited to work with Symantec on the DMC Partner Enablement Program. Our partners have asked for a comprehensive but modular systems management solution to help manage their customer’s data centers while providing cross-sell and up-sell opportunities to grow their own business” said Paul Shaffer, Director of Global Channel Marketing & Programs, Dell Inc.  “Dell and Symantec have worked to create a unique program that is easy for our channel base to participate in.  Our intent is to help educate and empower our channel community to help solve customer IT problems and provide them with high margin service revenue streams.”

“Symantec is focused on helping our channel partners find ways to differentiate themselves and grow their businesses in today’s competitive IT marketplace,” said Toni Adams, vice president, channel and alliances marketing, Symantec Corp. “With this program, Dell and Symantec are providing our joint channel partners with training and tools designed to help them develop differentiated product and services offerings that will increase their revenue and help them maintain relevance with their customers.”

Dell and Symantec partners can learn more about the variety of revenue generation opportunities to grow their business by visiting http://dmc.dellpartnerdirect.net and registering to join the program.