Dell Expands Resources for Service Providers; Broad Service Provider Direct Program To Focus On ISPs, ASPs, Web Hosters

Business Wire, April 5, 2000

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2000

Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), a world leader in Internet commerce and infrastructure, today introduced "Service Provider Direct(tm)," a comprehensive package of service, support and co-marketing programs designed for Internet service providers (ISPs), application service providers (ASPs) and Web hosting companies.

"In the service provider market, responsiveness, server reliability and uptime are the keys to ensuring customer loyalty and business growth. Dell's new Service Provider Direct program offers service providers who use PowerEdge(tm) servers, PowerApp(tm) appliance servers and PowerVault(tm) storage superior ways to ensure they receive the Dell resources and expertise their customers expect," said Judi L. Webster, vice-president and general manager of Dell's Internet Partner Division.

"We believe both Service Provider Direct participants and their customers will continue to see how Dell delivers exceptional value as it drives to be the industry's premier provider of Internet infrastructure."

Customers who qualify for Dell's Service Provider Direct program will be eligible for a variety of benefits, including:

-- Rapid server deployment advantages: The Dell "DirectShip"

program allows customers to receive select configurations of

Dell PowerEdge(tm) servers within 24 hours through an

expedited order process. Through Dell's OnSite Capacity

program, Dell will also make backup servers available at

customer sites as "hot spares," which are tailored to customer

specifications. These servers can be equipped with the

customer's desired disk image through DellPlus(tm) custom

factory integration.

-- Enhanced support: Customers may be eligible for an on-site or

designated Dell Systems Engineer, four-hour response options

for 24x7 support(a), Dell certified server support training,

consulting on server and storage architectures, and access to

Dell's "proof-of-concept" labs.

-- Customer co-marketing programs: To leverage Dell's expertise

in e-business marketing, qualifying customers will be eligible

for co-marketing programs with Dell. These co-marketing

programs could apply to print media, direct mail, Dell catalog

placements, Webcasts or other customized activities.

Details of the qualification requirements and further explanation of the benefits of Dell's Service Provider Direct program can be found at www.serviceproviderdirect.com.

Premier global companies in complex Web hosting and managed services such as Exodus Communications(tm) Inc. (Nasdaq:EXDS), leading ASP Web hosters such as NaviSite Inc. (Nasdaq:NAVI) and leading pure-play ASPs such as Corio Inc. have recently chosen to use Dell's Service Provider Direct to improve the efficiency of the Internet-related services they offer their customers.

"The reach of Dell to support our e-business objectives made the Service Provider Direct program extremely compelling to Exodus," said Ellen Hancock, CEO, Exodus. "We believe that by working with Dell, we can help more of our customers achieve their own e-business objectives."

"The consistent speed and capabilities of Dell's direct model complements NaviSite's customer-centric business philosophy to provide services to our customers in true `Internet time,'" said Joel Rosen, CEO, NaviSite. "Dell is demonstrating to NaviSite its commitment to making us successful with our customers now and for years to come. They offer a true strategic partnership that goes well beyond traditional vendor/customer roles."

"Service Provider Direct was designed by Dell specifically to ensure that companies such as Corio receive the proper attention and focus to deliver customers best-in-breed application services," said Kirk Krappe, senior vice president of markets at Corio. "Partnering with Dell in this program will further enhance Corio's reach and capabilities as the two companies embark on joint activities for customers using ASP services."

Dell is the world's No. 2 PC server provider(b).

About Dell Computer Corporation

Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $25.3 billion for the past four quarters, and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their Internet infrastructures. The company ranks No. 56 on the Fortune 500, No. 210 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 3 on the Fortune "most admired" lists of companies. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.

(a) For 7x24 service, Dell will dispatch a service technician within 4

hours of determining the hardware problem.

(b) Source: International Data Corporation, Commercial Systems and

Servers bulletin. Rankings based on U.S. and Worldwide "PC Server

Shipments by Vendor" for 3Q99.

Dell, PowerEdge, PowerVault and PowerApp are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation.