Today, Fast Company’s Dave Gardner posted his piece: “How Dell Helps Entrepreneurs Get Hardware Solutions To Market.” The article details how 
Dell (and its entrepreneurial customers) are working together to bring some very cool, innovative solutions to new markets.
If it seems counter intuitive that an industry bellwether like Dell would be featured by Fast Company, it’s not. In addition to Dell Ventures , Dell’s early-to-growth investment arm, and Dell Financial Services (DFS), who manage a $5B investment portfolio, specific divisions within Dell working with customers on their entrepreneurial pursuits.
Sound familiar? Yes, I’m referring to Dell OEM. Dave did interviews with some of our customers at this year’s DellWorld including SoloHealth and Pivot3.
SoloHealth’s ramp is not only impressive but requires substantial capital and expertise to support such a ramp. (CEO Bart Foster) had conversations with Dell Financial Services and learned about Dell OEM Solutions which helps global companies deliver their IP to end users leveraging Dell hardware and services. Dell and one of its partners provides tested, turn-key kiosks to SoloHealth. Level 1 customer service for the kiosks is provided by NCR, a firm that already has established relationships with the major retailers.
And, for Pivot3′s President and CEO, Richard Bravman noted:
Pivot3 is able to offer a turn-key solution but maintain the balance sheet of a software company yet have global reach via Dell.
Garnder also learned:
Pivot3 doesn’t want to be in the hardware business yet they need to offer a turn-key solution…They have..turned to Dell OEM solutions to manufacture their configure-to-order hardware systems and to also have access to Dell’s global supply chain, engineering talent, service and support.
Need a way to get your game-changing IP to market? We can help!
[...] more, take a look at this blog post from the Dell OEM team, or click on the image below to see Dave's writeup in Fast [...]
[...] more, take a look at this blog post from the Dell OEM team, or click on the image below to see Dave's writeup in Fast [...]
We have been trying to use Dell OEM solutions for 7-8 years now. No luck. Even though our mobile robots could use 3-5 Dell computers each, we are told that Dell OEM won’t work since the Dell form factor changes not infrequently. When we say that is something we can live with, they quit returning calls.
My point? If you are outside Dell’s box like we are, you may be wasting your time.
For the last 2-3 years, we are contacted every 3-4 months because the new sales person doesn’t realize that Dell only wants OEM business that is established. No “elevator opps” are wanted by Dell it seems to me.
Best,
Martin
Hi Martin –Thank you for your feedback. I have shared it with the appropriate OEM team members and requested they follow up with you personally.
Regarding our form factors, Dell has an extensive portfolio and a variety of form factors and customization options for customers. Our customers can also leverage long-life platforms for environments that require more stable platforms with fewer change management demands.
If you would like to continue a conversation with our team, we’d welcome the opportunity.
Thank you again for your candid feedback.
Regards.