Dell Launches Multiple Service Offerings to Facilitate Transition to Windows 2000; Dell Client Systems With Windows 2000 Now Available for Customer Order - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Jan 31, 2000

Dell Computer Corporation, the world's leading direct computer systems company, Monday announced the availability of new services as part of its Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program, which is designed to support Dell customers as they migrate to the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform.

Dell also announced that it is now taking orders in the United States for select desktops, notebooks and workstations that incorporate Windows 2000 Professional, and will begin taking orders for PowerEdge servers with Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server in early February.

Dell's migration services for Windows 2000, created to help ensure a smooth transition process and minimize the total cost of deployment for customers, range from technology consulting, planning and implementation for complex computing environments to Internet-based information and assessment tools to Dell's award-winning 24x7 toll-free telephone technical support.

Dell first introduced its Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program in November 1998 to assist customers who begin the evaluation and transition process to Windows 2000.

"Dell's direct relationship with customers and award-winning services provide unparalleled insight into the individualized needs of our customers," said Gary Cotshott, vice president, services, Public and Americas International (PAI), Dell Computer Corporation.

"This knowledge, coupled with Dell's ongoing relationship with Microsoft, enables us to offer our customers migration service solutions designed to cost effectively and seamlessly optimize their transition to Windows 2000 for even the most complex environments."

Now Taking Orders Customers who plan an early migration to Windows 2000 Professional can order certain models of Dell desktop PCs, notebooks and workstations with the new operating system. They include the OptiPlex GX100 and GX110 desktops, Dimension L Series and XPS T Series desktops, Latitude CPx, CSx, CS, CPt and select CPi notebooks, Inspiron 7500 notebooks and the Dell Precision Workstation 420. Other models are expected to be available in the near future.

Additionally, Dell will begin taking orders for all currently shipping PowerEdge servers with Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server in early February. Microsoft will officially launch Windows 2000 on Feb. 17. Dell will offer Windows 2000 Datacenter on its PowerEdge servers when it is made available from Microsoft later this year.

Migration Services Available To use Dell's migration services for Windows 2000, customers can go to www.dell.com/windows2000 or www.support.dell.com, or call their Dell account representative. Initially, these services are available to U.S. and Canadian customers. As the migration to Windows 2000 accelerates, Dell Windows 2000-based service offerings will be expanded to meet customers' evolving needs. Dell's current and future Windows 2000-based services will become available internationally as Windows 2000 is deployed worldwide.

Current offerings of the Dell Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program include:

-- Dell Technology Consulting (DTC) Services: Dell products can be implemented and optimized with an array of services including migration consulting, planning, training, implementation and system management for Windows 2000. For proof-of-concept services and performance tuning, customers can utilize Dell's Application Solution Centers (ASC) in Austin, Texas; Morristown, New Jersey; Limerick, Ireland, and Xiamen, China.

-- Windows 2000-Based Information and Training Resources: As a Windows 2000 development associate with Microsoft Corporation, Dell has vast expertise in optimizing the Windows 2000 platform for any customer environment. Customers are gaining increasing insight through Dell's Web-based FAQs, the DellTalk forum and online interactive training from EducateU(sm) (www.support.dell.com).

-- Windows 2000-Based Readiness Advisor: Any Dell customer can utilize the Web-based "Readiness Advisor" which uses their Dell system's service tag number to provide upgrade advice for their specific PC or server to Windows 2000.

-- Custom Factory Integration: Windows 2000-based software images can be loaded directly onto Dell PCs and servers before they leave our factory.

-- Installation: Qualified technicians are available to install Dell Windows 2000-based systems in the customers' location.

-- Technical Support for Windows 2000: Dell's award-winning 24x7 toll-free telephone technical support representatives are fully trained on Windows 2000 and available to help customers with start-up and support issues.

Benefits of Dell's Relationship with Microsoft "Dell's partnership with Microsoft continues to be invaluable as we work together to bring Windows 2000 to market," said Deborah Willingham, vice president Windows Marketing, Microsoft Corporation. "Dell's Windows 2000 services will help customers quickly evaluate and implement Windows 2000 so that they can begin to enjoy the benefits of the new platform."