Dell Computer's relevance as a computer systems and IT service
provider to the enterprise will be the focus of a series of product
presentations and industry analyst meetings hosted by the
company.
Dell will unveil server and storage products and re-outline its
enterprise hardware strategy, according to sources.
Dell's spring analyst meeting will begin on 4 April and experts
such as Don Young, an industry analyst at UBS Warburg, said he
expects Dell executives to be optimistic about "the company's
strategic advantage and continued market share gains".
Ramping up its IT service capabilities is key to helping Dell gain
and hold ground in the enterprise technology market, said Young.
And although critical of Dell's progress so far in IT services,
Young said Dell is likely to be planning acquisitions to help
accelerate its IT services strategy.
"[Dell's] services strategy remains very hardware-centric,
emphasising remotely delivered product services rather than
field-generated services, with Dell focusing on reselling other
companies' excess capacity," said Young.
"Acquisition strategy and partnerships are issues that will
probably be discussed [at the analyst meetings], as services is a
fast-growing segment."
An update on Dell's storage reseller relationship with EMC will
also be part of Dell's message as well as the company's plans to
capitalise on a growing mid-range storage market, said Young.
"We anticipate [Dell] management will lay out a more definitive
road map as the company targets the multibillion-dollar, mid-range
storage opportunity," said Young.