Mailbag: Readers dissect Dell

Servers This newsletter is sponsored by Raritan, Inc. Trade up to the latest KVM gear and save For a limited time, you can trade in your existing KVM equipment (whether it's Raritan switches or not) and upgrade to the latest in KVM-over-IP, expand your Analog Cat5 solution, or move to a hybrid solution. In return, we'll give you great savings plus the latest KVM technology we offer. Click here now for more details on our Raritan Customer Loyalty Program. Network World's Servers Newsletter, 05/22/07 Mailbag: Readers dissect Dell By Jennifer Mears I got quite a few responses to the newsletter I wrote earlier this month talking about the goings-on at Dell. Not surprisingly, a lot of the reaction was pretty negative regarding Dell and its services and support – an area where Dell has been struggling. But readers didn’t completely write off the company, either. Dell obviously is in need of some changes and the changes are happening. Last week, CEO Michael Dell announced a big shift for the server maker, saying that the company would focus on expanding its sales through commercial – and consumer – retailers. That’s quite a strategy change for the company that was built on the idea that selling directly to the buyer was the way to keep costs low. But it’s also good news for buyers who may be wary of Dell support; they can buy Dell hardware from resellers that could also provide services. Even before Michael Dell announced the company’s new reseller approach, one reader suggested that the direct model may be outdated: “Should Dell scrap its direct sales model? Direct sales infers bypassing the middle man. This implies a lower cost structure, which customers expect the vendor to pass on in savings. If there is no or little difference between buying direct or buying from a reseller, then where's the perceived value?” From servers to storage: Virtualization saves It's touted as one of the fastest and easiest ways to better manage and control your infrastructure. Download this guide today and see how network IT execs are making virtualization pay off in the real world; discover the 8 virtualization gotchas you need to know; and much more. Click here to download. Another reader said that he sold Dell from 1999 until 2003, but now standardizes all of his clients – both server and desktop – on HP. “Not all they do is horrible,” Adam Busch, who runs Bush Technologies, says of Dell. “They have one of the easiest support Web sites out there.” But Busch also complains that Dell doesn’t treat its partners well. That’s something Michael Dell is hoping to change with the new sales strategy that will include better training and technical support for its resellers. At the same time, another readers questions Dell’s approach to fixing its troubles. “Perhaps Dell should focus on quality, rather than sales models.” Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this sales shift pans out. Editor's Note: Does Apple belong in enterprise data centers?: We're putting together a story to be published in Network World looking at the enterprise-readiness of Apple technology, and we need your help. Have you deployed or evaluated Apple's XServe servers or its XServe RAID storage platform? What did you find? Do you think Apple's server and storage gear is ready for enterprise data centers? What are the biggest drivers or deterrents? Should IT administrators become more Mac friendly? We're looking to tap into our readership and share your experiences with our audience. Please send your ideas and contact information to senior editor Deni Connor.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Jennifer Mears is a freelance journalist based in Arizona. She was previously senior editor at Network World focusing on server issues. E-mail her at jlmears@gmail.com.   This newsletter is sponsored by Raritan, Inc. Trade up to the latest KVM gear and save For a limited time, you can trade in your existing KVM equipment (whether it's Raritan switches or not) and upgrade to the latest in KVM-over-IP, expand your Analog Cat5 solution, or move to a hybrid solution. In return, we'll give you great savings plus the latest KVM technology we offer. Click here now for more details on our Raritan Customer Loyalty Program. ARCHIVE Archive of the Servers Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007