The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

Jeffatdell — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:58:33 GMT

Ramon:

I completely agree, and that is what Dell is trying to do. Building simplification into product design is certainly the first step toward simplifying IT. Where simplification really makes a difference is in deployment, managing, updgrading, refreshing, and overall operating components. Sometimes, outsourcing one-time activities, like setup or database migration, makes the most sense. Where we go deeper, however, is that all aspects of IT should be more simple. Management should be able to do much themeslves and outsource what they don't want to do.

Thanks for the comment.

Jeffatdell

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

Ramon Ray — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:00:46 GMT

I wrote more about this here - http://www.smallbiztechnology.com/avantgo/2007/11/how-to-simplify-technology-in-your.shtml . What I basically added, was that I think that there's two main parts to simplifying IT:

1. There's the aspect of simplifying IT itself - right when it's first implemented

2. But it's also about having someone else do the things you are not an expert in or should not or do not have the time to do.

Ramon Ray, Editor & Technology Evangelist, Smallbiztechnology.com

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

Doug Stewart — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:09:01 GMT

As part of your standardisation and simplification, may I suggest that you standardise products and prices between countries.

I recently puchased a Dell Inspiron 530. One of the options was speakers (Dell™ A225 Speakers) for only 10 pounds (if purchased in the UK). However, as I've just moved to France I ordered from France, where the cheapest option at the time was 39.99 euros. Since then you now offer the same as in France, but at 10 euros instead of 10 pounds. However, due to shipping costs, it is now too expensive for me to get these.

In general, as I compared products and components between the two areas, availability and prices were completely different.

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

Luis Gutierrez — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:17:59 GMT

Thats a very good looking laptop, and all the specs are good to (just wished that the 15" had a WSXGA screen).

When will we be seeing the XPS with ubuntu?

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

The VAR Guy — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:35:32 GMT

I'm a rare breed: A channel blogger, reporter and Dell shareholder who believes in Dell's partner strategy. I think we'll get more clues about Dell's managed services strategy on November 29 and December 5. And I think Dell partners will quickly learn seven key ways to succeed while working with Dell. But this is a work in progress. Simplifying IT won't happen overnight.

- The VAR Guy

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

claudia riedel — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:42:20 GMT

I hate, hate, hate your customer service on the website. When ordering my dell preferred customer account was not recognized. It is almost impossible to find shipping information. Finding products is very difficult. Love your products - Hate, hate, hate your website

re: The Story Behind Dell’s Simplify IT Initiative

Craig — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:51:10 GMT

I applaud Dell for attempting this. However, you are far from simplifying IT for SMB's. I recently saw your new server products, that you purchase a NAS provider, and added Vostro.

Making all those changes adds confusion, not simplification. Your new servers for instance...why are you changing the naming scheme to R###? That may throw of infrequent buyers. Vostro doesn't provide any benefit to companies that are 50-100 employees. Dell purchases EqualLogic, but still partner with EMC on your site. Does that mean that you have more faith in EMC's product than your own?

When I call Dell to get a price quote, it has to go to my main account rep who has to pass it to one of his "several specialists/helpers" who then has to get back with the account rep to get me a quote. Things get lost in translation no matter who you are. All these extra steps are confusing.

How about pricing? That changes so much for the same product it is maddening.

In bullet one, you reference simplification through standardization, yet all the simplification options I have seen can only really be used if you are Dell end to end, therefore locking me into a proprietary solution.

Just some thoughts!

-Craig