Direct2Dell : Small & Medium Business

Tim Griffin on Dell's SMB Services Strategy

DELL-Kara K — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

While SMB customers are most familiar with Dell as a provider of warranty support services, many of our SMB customers turn to Dell for help managing their IT as well. In this vlog, Tim Griffin, VP of SMB Global Services talks about how Dell helps SMB customers by managing their IT so they can stay focused on managing their business.

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New business printers increase productivity, lower costs

DELL-Don H — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Today, Dell announced new printers designed to help increase business productivity and lower costs for organizations of all sizes. Dell’s award winning portfolio of business printers is extended with the:

· Dell 5130cdn - the world’s fastest letter size single function color laser printer

· Dell 7130cdn, Dell’s first LED color laser printer with tabloid size printing capability

Since entering the printing business in 2003, Dell has focused on consistently delivering innovative, valuable and reliable solutions to customers. With the announcement of the Dell 3330dn (a single function mono laser printer for high performance printing) in late September and the printers announced today -- that promise of performance excellence continues.

Dell 5130cdn

Today we break a printing record. The Dell 5130cdn can print up to 47 single-sided and 37.6 double-sided Letter sized pages per minute (ppm) in both black and white and color, making it the world’s fastest LTR size single-function color laser printer!

But it isn’t just about speed - the 5130cdn also premiers ColorbyDell, a total print quality solution that delivers improved color saturation, image sharpness and outstanding print quality. This superior quality is delivered through a combination of powerful new image enhancement algorithms, advanced toner technology and improvements in print engine design that drives significant energy and cost savings.

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The 5130cdn uses EA-Eco Toner, a new toner formulation by Dell that fixes at lower temperature resulting in significant energy savings and quicker print outs.

John Vavoudis acting IT Director of the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles (CCLA), got to test drive the 5130cdn. As you can imagine, CCLA has a pretty demanding print workload, providing assistance to 290,000 different individuals across 8,500 square miles across three counties. Here’s what John had to say about the latest addition to the Dell printing portfolio:

“At the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, we need reliable technology at all service levels. That’s why Dell technology solutions are a standard for us. When it comes to printing, fast and reliable departmental network printing is a priority and the Dell 5130cdn delivers. It is extremely fast! Clients are surprised at the speed of delivery from ‘send to hum’, and with Dell warranty pro-support, we know we can print with confidence.”

Dell 7130cdn

Also launching today, is Dell’s first 11x17”/A3 (tabloid sized) color printer, the Dell 7130cdn. This high performance, enterprise class LED printer can print up to A3/tabloid-size, high quality Pantone® approved color prints, for more accurate color reproduction. This printer helps bring professional quality color printing in-house with lower costs and improved printing options that can print the first page as quickly as 6.5 seconds in both mono and color!

When it comes to printing, Dell pays attention to our customers’ needs to understand exactly what businesses look for when making critical office IT decisions. Delivering the right solution with just the features, capabilities and services needed helps employees to easily get the job done.

For photos of the new printers, check out the set on Flickr.

The Clipper Group: Simplifying the SMB IT Experience

DELL-Antonio J — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Today I would like to share the following article, Dell Expands the Data Center Options, which discusses the importance of simplifying the SMB IT experience. SMB datacenters have the same requirements from large data centers to remove complexity and make simple the IT process. This article does a great job presenting how well Dell is working to address these requirements from a SMB perspective. SMBs need to improve efficiency with more flexible and agile data center requirements, while controlling the costs. With our newest enterprise offerings – servers, storage, software and services we are working to deploy to our customers the infrastructure solutions that match the SMB data center requirements.

You can check out the article on The Clipper Groups's site.

UK heroes tread the path to success

Steve Felice — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting the launch of our Take Your Own Path campaign in the UK - our seventh country launch in Dell's first globally integrated marketing campaign for SMBs. The event was held at the St. Pancras Grand, an art nouveau-style oyster bar inside the station that houses the Eurostar trains bound for Paris and Brussels. The inspiration being that Take Your Own Path is all about a journey, and that the heroes have arrived at their destination.

Our heroes cover a diverse range of industries but all have one thing in common - a burning desire to follow a dream and make it a reality. It was a real honour to meet such an inspiring and enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs. I also had the pleasure of congratulating the co-founders of A Suit That Fits.com - winners of the UK Dell Small Business Excellence Award 2009 who were invited to the event as special guests.

Each of our UK heroes - Lonely Planet, Good Energy Group, Jagex, Masternaut and Innocent Drinks - spoke to the assembled media and partners about how Dell had made a difference to their business - from being able to communicate from far flung places to the excellent service, and always delivering and being great to work with.

I was especially filled with great pride when several of the heroes mentioned how they really appreciated the way we took personal responsibility in meeting commitments to help them succeed. Beyond the technology and service that we provide, it is when we take the initiative to go that extra mile for the ultimate benefit of our customers that we deliver a truly competitive differentiator for Dell.

You can see photos from the event on Dell's official Flickr page and also watch some of the videos from the morning. The event generated significant media coverage in the UK, including CNN International, Marketing Week, IT Pro, Yorkshire Post, New Media Age, Marketing Magazine, and Hexus.

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Dell's aim is to be the number one SMB technology brand globally by delivering solutions that delight our customers, and this campaign is proof of our progress in this journey.

Branding’s Three-Pronged Approach

Marissa Levin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:05:00 GMT

Note from Lionel: Marissa Levin leads Information Experts' efforts to create technology-based integrated communications solutions, human capital strategies, and learning strategies for government agencies and for organizations across a wide range of vertical markets. To find out more about this successful woman business owner and working mother, check out Marissa's profile.

Now, on to her post:

When people think of branding, they usually think "logo." But branding extends far beyond a tag line or a graphic. Branding encompasses everything that you envision for your firm. It is a strategy that enables you to move your target audience emotionally - to help them connect on a personal level with you, your organization, and the value that you bring to the market.

Business owners have tremendous power to build the brand they envision, but they often don't realize it. I meet so many solopreneurs and small business owners who have tunnel vision when it comes to branding. They hire a marketing specialist or a graphic designer to create a visual image of their company name. Then they slap it on a business card or letterhead, and they consider themselves "branded." They don't realize that one of their most powerful branding assets - one of their greatest sources of brand capital - is themselves.

As someone who has bootstrapped a business from $56,000 to $10 million, I've learned over the past 14 years to take a three-pronged approach to branding:

Branding of the product or service
Branding of the organization
Branding of the leadership

All three are powerful enough to function as separate entities.

If a product or service has developed a reputation for reliability, than performance speaks for itself (think service organizations like Jiffy Lube, Amazon).
Organizations that are highly focused on culture have very strong organizational branding (Nordstrom, Google).
Finally, organizations that have very visible leadership also enhance their brand equity in the marketplace every time leadership speaks (Apple, Zappos)

But the most effective strategy for building brand equity in the marketplace is to consciously apply all three strategies. Your product or service may stand on its own. Your organization's name may have widespread recognition and universal appeal. But as a business owner, consider the influence you have over your own brand strength. In addition to sharing your knowledge and experiences with others that can benefit, you will continue to reinforce your brand and solidify your position in the market as a thought leader, innovator, and credible expert. Be the brand.

Six Technology Rules

Ramon Ray — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:35:00 GMT

Note from Lionel: Below is a guest post from Ramon Ray, Editor and Technology Evangelist, http://www.smallbiztechnology.com. Last week, Ramon spoke to a group of entrepreneurs at the GrowSmartBiz Conference in Washington D.C. on the topic of small business technology. Below are some of the tips he shared with the attendees:

Spend money on technology as an investment - not as a cost

If you are building a business that's built to last you must think of your technology spending as an investment in how technology can help your business GROW. You must spend money on technology that will help you now and in the future. The right investments in technology today will help you save money, save time, do more with lesson and overall grow your business tomorrow.

Email is NOT CRM

If you want to increase sales to your current customers and really know everything you can about each customer, based on each interaction they have with you - you must use a true CRM product or service and not email.

Web 2.0 is no joke

You must leverage social media tools. It's not enough to give content or a sales pitch to someone - a one way conversation. It's about having a conversation with customers and letting customers have a conversation with each other - all about you and your product or service.

Mobile technology matters

If you and your staff are traveling around (as I suspect you do) then you need to implement mobile technology solutions. This means that you can access your office wherever you are - email, faxes, files - you can access it all.

Outsource your technology

There is NO need at all for you to manage and implement technology on your own. Sure, you are an expert in what you sell (be you a florist, computer vendor, lawyer, graphic artists or media consultant).

The only way you are going to maximize your use of technology is to outsource your use and implementation of it in your business.

Don't technologize a bad business process

I'm sure you run a very good business and do your best to manage its various processes, however if there are parts of your business that are not going so well and you think technology is the answer, you're wrong.

BusinesSuites: 2009 U.S. Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award Winner

DELL-Kara K — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:40:00 GMT

Over the past several weeks you’ve read about the U.S. finalists from the Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award and how each company uniquely uses technology in their business.

From a record-breaking 3,000 applicants for this year’s award, BusinesSuites was selected as the U.S. national winner for its entrepreneurial approach to using technology to better serve its customers. Based in Austin, Texas, BusinesSuites provides executive suites and virtual office services in 15 locations nationwide.

BusinesSuites’ strong focus on hands-on customer service, backed by innovative use of technology, really set them apart from the other applicants and finalists.

As the winner, BusinesSuites will receive $25,000 in Dell products and services, a lifetime membership to NFIB, valued at $15,000, and a day of best-practice sharing with Dell experts, including time with Chairman and CEO Michael Dell.

To hear about how BusinesSuites uses technology to serve its clients, check out the video below featuring John Jordan, President of BusinesSuites.

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For more on the award program and the other winners from around the world, check out http://www.dellhero.com

Dell 3330dn: making laser printing affordable for large and medium businesses

DELL-CK Lim — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:20:00 GMT

In trying times, it is more important than ever for businesses to stay focused on long term objectives, maximize value and gain productivity in everything they do. That is why most organizations are looking to get more out of their IT. When it comes to technology, Dell supports the needs of businesses of all sizes, and has solutions for the printing needs of businesses.

You see, every print command is a tiny expense of toner and power. This ends up getting multiplied by hundreds and thousands or more. When all that is added up, printing can be a significant expense for growing businesses.

For large and medium businesses, the focus is on productivity, reliability and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Dell's imaging division has designed an award winning portfolio spanning multi-function(MF), single function(SF), monochrome and color lasers and inkjets. Made for demanding business networks, they are capable of producing professional-grade color or black-and-white printing, scanning or faxing. You can learn more about some of the latest additions to Dell's growing printer offerings here.

Today, Dell launched the 3330dn; a fast workhorse printer that is built for reliability, with a low total cost of ownership and expansion capabilities that scale with growing business demands. Not only does this mono laser networked printer make black and white printing more affordable for medium and large businesses, it also makes them more productive by quickly printing more than 40 pages-per-minute (ppm).

With a true print resolution of 1200x1200 dpi, the 3330dn produces razor sharp print outs for both business graphics and text while an 80,000 page-per-month duty cycle means this machine is fully capable of handling even the most demanding printing needs. Today's launch marks Dell's continued commitment to printing by providing an advanced category mono laser to strengthen Dell's printer portfolio. You can find out more about the technical specifications and features of the 3330dn here.

Most importantly, the 3330dn is a printer that grows with your business as it features an optional 550-sheet paper drawer as well as additional memory power for high capacity printing, as well as a 50-sheet multipurpose tray that lets you print media of different sizes.

Other key features include:

User friendly with an intuitive 4-line graphical display
Enhanced security features with a 10 digit numeric pad
Complete suite of management software including the Dell Toner Management System, Dell Open Manager Printer Manager and Dell Printer Configuration Web Tool
Environmentally friendly with double-sided printing standard and ENERGY STAR 1.1 certification

The 3330dn includes the same level of great service you've come to expect from Dell with a standard 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty and 1-Year-Next-Business Day Advance Exchange Experience. And if that doesn't set your mind at ease, you can extend your warranty protection with terms of up to five years. Installation and customizable ProSupport service options are also available.

Update 10-14-09: The Dell 3330dn is available direct and through select Dell partners now in the US at a price of $599 and in Europe starting October 13 at 429 GBP or 499 €.

Drum-roll please…… Dell Introduces the World’s Thinnest, Lightest 16-Inch Laptop, The Latitude Z

DELL-Jeremy B — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:06:00 GMT

I’m writing this post from San Francisco where we’ve just finished up briefing reporters and bloggers on one of the coolest laptops Dell has ever introduced. And guess what – it’s designed for corporate customers and it’s called the Dell Latitude Z.

Yes, that’s right, while my consumer colleagues are typically all giddy with their latest gadgets, I get to brief the world on a laptop that just about every single design-savvy individual will want but one that your IT department will like as well. A system that is predictable, easy to manage. And now I am the one doing a little jig of excitement because this laptop is very cool.

Of course, there’s been some rumor and speculation about this new system for some time. Robert Scoble got an early peek at it (suggesting he would be throwing away his Mac when it comes out), there’s been some chatter on it over at Notebook Review’s Forum and, as always, our friends at Engadget and Gizmodo couldn’t pass up talking about it. Some secrets are hard to keep.

Before I share more details on the “Z,” let me give you some background on our overall commercial client strategy and how this fits in:

Stability in our core, mainstream family of products. For example, Latitude E-Family laptops and OptiPlex desktops, with virtues grounded in commonality, image stability and extended lifecycles;
Choice in innovative, purpose-engineered products designed for specific usage needs. like our Latitude E6400 XFR fully rugged laptop, Latitude 2100 education netbook and even our massively scalable Dell Precision workstations; and finally,
Efficiency in flexible computing solutions that simplify management, speed up deployment, secure information from data center to desktop and reduce TCO.

With this in mind, we set out to develop another product that falls into our strategy. For many of our customers, their “personal brand” is critical to their success -- entrepreneurs, sales staff, executives, creative agencies, thought leaders and policy makers in higher education, and attorneys, to name just a few. We set out to bring together super svelte design with breakthrough features in a laptop that your IT department will support and manage.

The result: the Latitude Z600 – the thinnest, lightest 16-inch notebook in the world. The design isn’t the only advanced feature -- we’ve gone beyond to introduce several industry firsts such as wireless docking and inductive charging. We're also introducing Latitude ON, a hardware-based feature that allows you the full power of your laptop with the flexibility of your smartphone.

Latitude ON is essentially a motherboard within a motherboard where a separate processor and OS boot into Latitude ON “mode” to provide instant, interactive access to email, contacts, calendar and the Web. And, it hooks into Microsoft Exchange, IMAP, POP and Novell GroupWise email, while delivering battery life that lasts for days, not hours. See Lionel's Latitude ON post for more details.

Note: Click on the images in this post to see larger versions. If you want to see more, check out the Dell Latitude Z set on Flickr. Since there are many details to go through, I’ve listed out the details of the Latitude Z600 into bite-sized pieces. Here we go:

Half an inch thin, 4.5 pounds with a four-cell battery with a lean, tapered design and soft-touch Black Cherry finish;
World’s first laptop with optional wireless docking, that relies on a UWB radio for point-to-point communications, and inductive charging, which eliminates the need for power cords by using a dynamic power transfer between system primary stand and secondary module. Both will be available in the coming weeks;
Dell’s first-of-its-kind EdgeTouch allows users to interact with commonly used applications and media controls through a touch interface that is on the edge of the system’s screen;
Spacious multi-touch touchpad and silky-touch backlit keyboard;
High-definition (1600x900) WLED display and two megapixel camera featuring Dell Capture technology that allows users to scan and save business cards to Microsoft Outlook contacts and copy documents;
Dell FaceAware Lock-Out automatically locks out other users when a user steps away from the laptop;
Ultra-small power adapter;
Custom bags by Cole Haan and Timbuk2 designed specifically for the Latitude Z;
Wireless options include WLAN, Bluetooth, optional 3G WWAN.

The Latitude Z is available starting today in select countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Canada and the U.S., starting at $1,999.

These new products are designed to meet the unique needs of our customers when they are ready to refresh or add to their existing infrastructure. We hope you like what you see. I would love to get your feedback and thoughts.

Check out this video on Latitude Z that will give you a better idea of how all its features work.

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Made To Measure For Success

DELL-Chris Mu — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT

For the second year in succession, the UK has a very worthy Dell Small Business Excellence Award winner in the (well-tailored) shape of A Suit That Fits.com. And like all great business stories, there’s a humble beginning.

Warren Bennett had always had a passion for suits, which became more than an interest after a high quality fine woollen suit was made for him whilst doing voluntary work in Nepal in 2005. On his return to the UK, he met up with old schoolfriend David Hathiramini, who like Warren had a keen eye for fine suits. Together, they decided to combine their engineering and software backgrounds to simplify and improve tailoring. And it’s from here that A Suit That Fits.com was born.

Four years on and Warren and David, as co-founders and directors, can enjoy the recognition from Dell and its global partners of being a truly innovative and customer-focused business.

Like a fine French wine or classic Swiss timepiece, there’s something seriously sophisticated and timeless about a hand-made tailored suit – and quintessentially British. Offer them at high street prices with complete control over design and you’ve got one half of a sustainable business. Bring in unique web technology to enable this customisation and a highly skilled manufacturing base in Nepal and you’ve got a winner.

In three years, Warren and David have sold over 17,000 suits - recording very impressive year on year growth – and boast 22,000 registered members. A Suit That Fits.com is also No.1 on Google-ranking for “tailored suits” and 36% of customers reorder online within six months of buying their first suit. Today, 85% of existing customers reorder online, without having to visit one of their 4 branches in London or ‘Travelling Tailorstops’. These statistics certainly cut an impressive figure.

With their tailors in Nepal paid more than 50% over the local rate for manufacture, together with 5% from all suit costs donated to projects in the Nepalese community, there’s a strong sense of ethical responsibility at work.

A Suit That Fits.com emerged from a very strong field to take this year’s prestigious UK award title. They are a great example to small businesses everywhere that success can be achieved with a great business idea, hard work and innovative and imaginative use of technology. Our congratulations to Warren, David and the whole team. To hear from the winners, check out the video below.

So last year it was worms, this year it’s suits. I wonder what we’ll be celebrating in 2010?

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