Dell, VMware Delivering Virtualization Everywhere

Dell and VMware are helping to simplify virtualization for customers with a strategy that will deliver Dell PowerEdge™ servers embedded with VMware ESX 3i hypervisor with a "single click." The initiative, announced at VMworld, is the first in a series of innovations that will expand adoption of virtualization as a standard ingredient in datacenter technology.

Dell will begin the process of offering VMware ESX 3i hypervisor in all virtualization-certified Dell PowerEdge servers starting in early April. Customers will be able to purchase VMware with a single click easing virtualization planning, deployments and management. More information is available at www.dell.com/vmwarenow.

“Virtualization radically simplifies IT – and we’re the only vendor delivering it to customers in a single click,” said Brad Anderson, Senior Vice President, Dell Business Product Group. “We’re unleashing the potential of virtualization - from servers through storage - and we’re making it simple for customers.”

“Dell and VMware are delivering on a shared vision for virtualization,” said Diane Greene, president and CEO of VMware. “Dell is virtualization-enabling their servers with the VMware ESX 3i hypervisor, giving the PowerEdge line standalone server consolidation capability. Customers can upgrade from the VMware ESX 3i hypervisor to VMware’s datacenter virtualization and management suite, VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3). VI3 provides automatic load balancing, business continuity, power management and the ability to move a virtual machine across physical machines with no service interruption.”

Accelerating the Value of Virtualization
By making virtualization a mainstream, pervasive datacenter architecture, customers can help reduce capital and operating costs, improve security, ensure business continuity and deploy green IT environments.

Dell PowerEdge servers provide an ideal platform for customers to deploy these environments. The Dell PowerEdge 2950-III and Dell’s new PowerEdge M-Series blade solution own the no. 1 scores for servers for virtualization performance in their respective classes 1. The M-Series also provides lead-free configurations that help customers further minimize their environmental impact.

When combined with the recently announced Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series storage arrays and Dell Virtualization Readiness Assessment Services, these solutions give customers a complete, simplified and greener end-to-end virtualization-ready data center.

The VMware ESX 3i hypervisor is based on core VMware virtualization technology in use by more than 100,000 customers. It is the industry’s smallest hypervisor (32MB), enabling high levels of security and reliability, and it is the only OS-independent virtualization platform. VMware ESX 3i hypervisor delivers single-server consolidation with fast and easy deployment—the first virtual machine can operate within minutes of booting a server with pre-configured and optimized hardware configurations.

Customers can upgrade from VMware ESX 3i hypervisor to VMware’s datacenter virtualization and management suite, VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3). VI3 provides automatic load balancing, business continuity, power management and the ability to move a virtual machine across physical machines with no service interruption. VI3 is also compatible with VMware’s desktop virtualization and management solutions.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com

About VMware

VMware (NYSE: VMW) is the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter. Customers of all sizes rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2007 revenues of $1.3 billion, more than 100,000 customers and more than 10,000 partners, VMware is one of the fastest growing public software companies. VMware is based in Palo Alto, California and on the web at www.vmware.com.

Dell Completes EqualLogic Acquisition, Broadens Storage Portfolio, Doubles Down on Channel

Dell today announced the completion of its $1.4 billion acquisition of EqualLogic, a leading provider of high-performance storage area network (SAN) solutions designed for virtualization and ease-of-use. The purchase extends Dell’s leadership in simplifying IT for customers and partners. For additional information, click on dell.com/storage.

“Virtualization and iSCSI are two keys to simplifying IT,” said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO, Dell. “Enterprises are creating data and consuming power at an exponential rate, driving up IT cost and complexity. What we did for PCs and servers we are now going to do for storage. Together with our PartnerDirect channel, we will unleash the power of iSCSI and virtualization to make storing and processing data easier and more affordable.”

“Customers face extreme challenges with data growth,” said Darren Thomas, vice president and general manager, Dell storage. “Their ideal solution is secure storage that uses existing infrastructure, installs in minutes not days, manages itself, grows easily as needs increase and plugs into the virtualized IT ecosystem. That’s EqualLogic. And that’s the incredible value we will deliver to customers.”

EqualLogic Expands Dell PartnerDirect
Dell plans to preserve and build on EqualLogic’s successful channel program in addition to offering products directly from Dell. Starting today in the United States and ultimately around the world, current EqualLogic partners will be enrolled into PartnerDirect and eligible for Dell’s newest certification - Enterprise Architecture. Dell modeled its certification requirements and benefits on EqualLogic’s widely-regarded channel program and include access to Dell’s full server and storage product lines.

“The channel is critical to our go-to-market strategy, and we are committed to our partners’ continued success,” said Bob Skelley, director Americas Channel Group. “This is just the beginning. Dell will continue to innovate and differentiate to earn the business of our channel partners.”

In addition to standard benefits offered through PartnerDirect - deal registration, pre- and post-sale support, partner financing and access to Dell’s partner e-commerce site, partners certified in Enterprise Architecture will be able to take advantage of: Free training (once only available to Dell’s direct sales force) for proficiency in Dell’s full enterprise product line, as well as EqualLogic;
EqualLogic’s same competitive pricing model; and
Lead generation and marketing incentive funds.

Dell and Sun Microsystems Announce Solaris 10 Distribution Agreement

Dell and Sun Microsystems have signed an OEM agreement for Dell to make the Solaris Operating System (OS) and Solaris support services available directly to customers for select Dell PowerEdge servers.


The multi-year distribution agreement was announced live from Oracle OpenWorld, where Sun President and CEO, Jonathan Schwartz and Dell Chairman and CEO, Michael Dell, are keynote speakers. With this announcement, Dell is expanding the range of enterprise-class operating systems it offers to its customers and Sun is expanding the reach of its Solaris OS.

As part of the relationship, Dell and Sun will cooperate on system certification and the development of offerings based on Solaris and Dell solutions. In addition, Dell and Sun have agreed to work together to secure support from key ISVs for Solaris on Dell PowerEdge servers. Both companies will work to ensure the combination of Dell PowerEdge servers and the Solaris OS delivers customer choice and value for applications that demand reliability, security, scalability, performance and integrated virtualization.

"Dell's offering of Solaris redefines the market opportunity for both companies," said Jonathan Schwartz, president and CEO, Sun Microsystems. "The relationship gives Dell broader reach into the global free software community with Solaris and OpenSolaris and gives Sun access to channels and customers across the volume marketplace."

"Part of our focus to simplify IT means delivering customers choice and by adding Solaris to our solutions set we are able to do that," said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO, Dell.

For more details on the agreement, visit: http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/dell or http://www.sun.com/news.

Dell Plans to Acquire ASAP Software

Dell announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ASAP Software, a leading software solutions and licensing services provider and a subsidiary of Corporate Express.

The acquisition will strengthen Dell’s existing software business by integrating ASAP’s complementary expertise in managing software licensing, purchasing, renewals, and compliance.

Under the agreement, Dell will purchase ASAP for approximately $340 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. It is anticipated to close during Dell’s fiscal third quarter.

“Merging Dell’s software business with ASAP is part of our effort to re-invent and simplify the way our customers get access to IT,” said Paul Bell, senior vice president and president, Dell Americas. “After the acquisition is completed, our customers will have one of the world’s leading software solutions providers as a single point of expertise and accountability for software licensing, compliance, renewal and asset management.”

ASAP is a provider of IT products and services to corporations and government organizations. Its subsidiary, License Technologies Group, specializes in licensing and e-commerce services for software publishers and their partners. Dell is increasingly being asked by corporate, government and institutional customers to deliver solutions that simplify software management. The ASAP acquisition is a key step in answering the needs of Dell customers.

“Maximizing the value of our customers’ technology investment is a hallmark of ASAP,” said Paul Jarvie, ASAP president. “We're excited about the opportunity to leverage the systems, processes, and teams we've developed over the past 23 years to serve Dell customers.”

The acquisition of ASAP furthers Dell’s long-term initiative to radically simplify IT for customers by removing cost and complexity and making technology more efficient, manageable and flexible. Dell’s strategy, developed through millions of direct conversations with customers, is based on a set of core beliefs that: Information technology shouldn’t be as complex as it is.
Customers should spend less on maintaining IT and more on innovation.
Every IT project should not require an army of consultants.
Computing should have minimal environmental impact.
Superior information drives efficiency in an IT environment.




About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS



About ASAP

ASAP provides IT products and services to corporations and government agencies headquartered in North America and Europe. Since its founding in 1984, the company has helped thousands of clients evaluate, purchase, deploy, and manage their software assets. Its expertise in volume licensing and innovative asset management solutions makes ASAP the single-source provider of choice for organizations whose objective is to maximize the value of their technology investments. With over 600 employees, ASAP serves customers through sales offices in 48 locations across North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.asap.com

Dell Announces Cloud Computing Solution to Address Unique Needs of Hyper-Scale Data Centers

Dell today announced the availability of the Dell Cloud ComputingTM Solution, the first offering developed by its new business unit – the Dell Data Center Solutions Division.

The move is designed to address a new business opportunity for Dell, the unique needs of businesses operating hyper-scale computing environments that require rack and data center optimized “design–to–order” technology and services.

Dell’s Cloud Computing Solution is designed to provide data center optimization, increased energy efficiency, and lower deployment and overall management overhead for customers whose IT infrastructure, or compute cloud, is the “factory” for their business. These data-intensive customers include major providers of goods and services over the Internet, financial services organizations, national government agencies, institutional university and laboratory environments and upstream petroleum producers.

Dell Cloud Computing combines Dell’s global presence, operational excellence, superior supply chain and engineering capabilities with custom hardware and services based on customers’ unique current and future growth needs.

By taking Dell’s “build-to-order model” to the next step with a “design-to-order” custom hardware and service solution, Dell engineering enables customers to optimize the performance of their IT infrastructure for their specific applications. Those applications use this infrastructure or environment as a virtual computing service, sometimes referred to as “cloud computing.” This customization eliminates the so-called “feature tax” often incurred by customers seeking to leverage general-purpose servers, storage, and networking equipment and services.

"The infrastructure requirements of Web 2.0 companies are distinctive and differ in many ways from the needs of traditional enterprise IT customers," said Matt Eastwood, program vice president for IDC's Enterprise Platforms Group. "Dell recognizes that these customers have unique compute density, power density and manageability needs and the Data Center Solutions Division has been created to offer this growing customer segment access to IT infrastructure solutions tailored for their unique business requirements."

“Businesses requiring hyper-scale computing environments – where infrastructure deployments are measured by up to millions of servers, storage and networking equipment – are changing the way they approach IT to drive revenue growth and decrease operational expenses,” said Brad Anderson, senior vice president, Dell Product Group. “Our unique customer interaction, global reach and speed to market position Dell to offer a total ‘design-to-order’ package, optimized for each customer’s needs. We’re maximizing the performance of their IT infrastructure and providing tangible value to this growing market segment where IT is not just a business factor, it’s a business driver.”

Key features of the customizable Dell Cloud Computing Solution include:

• Capacity Planning for the Data Center – Dell assesses the business needs and requirements of each customer in the context of physical and logical limitations.
• Designed-to-Order Hardware – Prototyping and building hardware solutions that are optimized for specific customer requirements.
• Component Optimization – Dell engineers work at the component level to “right size” and optimize for performance and total cost of ownership, without delivering unnecessary components or features
• Custom Services – Onsite Dell support personnel are available to deploy and service hardware as needed. These fully customizable services are optimized for “hyperscale” data center deployments.

The Dell Cloud Computing Solution is available immediately in the United States. For more information on Dell Data Center Solutions and the Dell Cloud Computing Solution, visit www.dell.com/cloudcomputing.

U.S. Army Recruits Dell for Servers, Storage and Services

The U.S. Army has selected Dell to provide servers, storage and networking hardware as well as installation and integration services for its Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 2 Hardware (ITES -2H) contract.

The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity ITES-2H contract is a three-year agreement with two one-year extensions and a purchasing ceiling of $5 billion. Dell is one of six prime awardees for the contract.

This is the most recent example of Dell’s 15-year partnership with the Army. As announced in September, Dell was also chosen under the Army’s Desktop Mobile Computing (ADMC-2) contract to provide desktop and notebook computers, displays, printers and peripherals for three years.

“Dell has a long-standing relationship with the Army and a proven track record supporting its mission,” said Troy West, vice president, Dell Federal Business segment. “We appreciate the Army’s confidence in Dell, and we will work hard to support the Army’s efforts around the globe.”

Dell also strives to support the Army through sponsorship of two programs that assist deployed servicemen and their families that are left at home. Through Operation Homelink, Dell distributes computers to families of junior enlisted servicemen so that they can keep in touch during overseas deployments. Dell has donated hundreds of computers since the program started in 2004 at events at Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg.

Dell is also a founding member of the Army Spouse Employment Partnership program, created in 2003. Dell employs military spouses in technical support positions, allowing them the opportunity to work from home and stay with Dell through the frequent moves inherent in the military lifestyle. Dell’s participation in the Army Spouse Employment Partnership program was recognized by the Association of Defense Communities for assistance in building essential and sustainable partnerships in defense communities.

Dell supports its employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve by allowing employees called to duty a military leave of absence and providing a compensation package for deployed employees to assist their families in a time of need. Dell also signed a statement of support for the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and has been given the Patriot Award from ESGR recognizing its support of Dell employees serving in the guard and reserves.

Dell and Alienware Bring World's First Terabyte Hard Drive Computer to Consumers

Starting today, DellTM and Alienware® customers purchasing select XPSTM , AuroraTM and Area 51® gaming desktop computers can super-size their storage space by adding the world’s first consumer one terabyte (TB) hard drive from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.

The extra hard drive capacity provides enough space to store an incredible amount of data – a million photos, 16 days of DVD quality video or even a million minutes of music.

“Digital content use is exploding in the consumer market – with this 1TB hard drive, a lifetime of memories, music and other information can be made, stored and shared with others,” said Neil Hand, vice president, worldwide consumer marketing consumer product group. “This type of capability used to be available only to the largest corporations. With the spectacular advancement in hard drives and the engineering in our systems, we’re now able to bring it to consumers.”

To encourage digital media enthusiasts to effectively archive files for the future, Dell is also introducing its first ever “Video Time Capsule” that will allow contributors to share their digital videos for generations to come. Dell invites its own and Alienware’s customers to participate by submitting videos messages to loved ones for posterity at www.studiodell.com.

StudioDell is a community website that allows general consumers and business customers to see tips and trends in technology, as well as submit their own videos showcasing how they are using technology in innovative ways. All video content submitted to StudioDell for the remainder of 2007 will be copied on a 1TB Hitachi Deskstar® 7K1000 hard drive and will be stored for 50 years on the Dell campus in Round Rock, TX.

Dell XPS system details and pricing are available at www.dell.com/XPS. Alienware system details and pricing are available at www.alienware.com/desktops.


About Alienware

Alienware offers unique and award-winning technology products that incorporate state–of–the–art components, innovative engineering and design, and unprecedented customer service. Alienware has been recognized by INC 500, won the Shoppers’ Choice Award as the Best Performance Desktop by Computer Shopper’s reader survey, had its Alienware Area-51 ranked among “The 25 Greatest PCs of All Time” by PC World and also received PC Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award in its 18th Annual Reader Survey. Alienware systems are available direct within the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. For more information, please visit www.alienware.com or call 1-800-ALIENWARE (254-3692).

Dell Adds Anti-Theft Security for Notebook Computers

Dell and Absolute Software have teamed to provide notebook computer theft recovery services for Dell’s U.S. consumer customers.

The move makes Dell the first PC manufacturer to deliver a higher degree of peace of mind by combining theft recovery measures with accidental damage protection.

With the purchase of select DellTM InspironTM notebooks, customers who opt for CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service1 with prices ranging from $99 to $139, now will receive Computrace® LoJack® for Laptops2 theft recovery service, valued at between $49 and $119 This service is available for systems with 1 - 4 year warranties.

Dell’s CompleteCareTM Accidental Damage Service, available in most states, provides coverage for issues not covered under the standard limited warranty. These include spills, drops and electrical surges. Computrace LoJack for Laptops gives consumers additional benefits by providing security software that helps track down a notebook computer if lost or stolen and helps protect any personal data on the system.

“Losing a computer is costly, even potentially devastating, when you consider the value of the data and personal information stored on today’s notebooks,” said Rocky Mountain, of Dell’s U.S. Consumer business. “Combining accidental damage protection with theft recovery service is a huge win for consumers who want increased security.”

Dawn Burnett, a student at the University of Massachusetts, found this out the hard way. “When I purchased my Dell notebook last year, I wanted to keep my investment safe and secure, so I bought both CompleteCare and the LoJack for Laptops,” Burnett said. “It really paid off when my computer was stolen from my dorm room. The companies came to my rescue. Absolute tracked down and recovered my computer, and Dell fixed the damage that occurred during the theft.”

“Mobile computing is becoming the standard for individual consumers, and with it comes increased exposure to identity theft and data loss from loss or theft,” said John Livingston, chairman and CEO of Absolute Software. “Dell clearly understands this risk and has become the first PC manufacturer to offer an integrated accidental damage and theft recovery solution to help protect its customers.”

“Absolute has been reuniting Dell business and institutional customers with their lost and stolen notebooks for almost 10 years and looks forward to extending our industry-leading theft protection service to Dell’s home users,” said Livingston.

Computrace LoJack for Laptops is also available for purchase as a standalone product on the Dell Software and Peripherals site for prices ranging from $49 - 139.

Dell received the Computer Shopper 2006 Shoppers’ Choice Award for best customer service and support recently. This caps off a year when Dell invested $150 million in customer service and support improvements.




1 CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service: CompleteCare service excludes theft, loss, and damage due to fire, flood or other acts of nature, or intentional damage. CompleteCare not available in all states. Customer may be required to return unit to Dell. For complete details, visit www.dell.com/servicecontracts


2 Computrace LoJack for Laptops: Not a Dell offer. Certain conditions apply. Only if the Customer Computer has not been Recovered during the Recovery Period and the Customer has fully complied with all of the Money-Back Guarantee Terms and Conditions: CRI or ASC will pay the Customer the lesser of the amount equal to the actual price paid by the customer for the recovery service (exclusive of taxes, shipping or handling charges) or the U.S. Suggested Retail Price for the Service Term purchased, regardless of the amount of service remaining. For full details, see terms and conditions at www.lojackforlaptops.com

Michael Dell Assumes Duties as Chief Executive Officer of Dell Inc.

Dell Inc. announced today that Michael Dell will assume the duties of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Dell, who will retain his duties as Chairman of the Board, will replace Kevin Rollins.

“The Board believes that Michael’s vision and leadership are critical to building Dell’s leadership in the technology industry for the long-term,” said Samuel A. Nunn, presiding director of Dell’s Board. “There is no better person in the world to run Dell at this time than the man who created the Direct Model and who has built this company over the last 23 years.”

Michael Dell founded the company in 1984 with $1,000 and an unprecedented idea - to bypass the middleman and sell computer systems directly to the customer. He has served as the company’s Chairman of the Board, since its founding, and served as CEO until 2004.

“Dell has tremendous opportunities ahead of it,” said Mr. Dell. “I am enthusiastic about Dell 2.0, which includes our plan to provide the best customer experience, build a strong global services business and ensure our products deliver the best long-term customer value.”

Mr. Rollins has resigned, effective immediately, from his position as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors.

“Kevin has been a great business partner and friend,” said Mr. Dell. “He has made significant contributions to our business over the past ten years. I wish him much success in the future.”

In 1992, Mr. Dell became the youngest CEO ever of a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Dell serves on the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum, the executive committee of the International Business Council and is a member of the U.S. Business Council.

The Company also said that it expects its fourth quarter Fiscal Year 2007 results to be below the average of First Call Estimates for both revenue and earnings per share.