Dell unveils Vostro offerings for small businesses

Dell has unveiled a new product portfolio and services strategy aimed at the millions of small businesses around the world.

But, while the computer giant happily revealed that it has shifted people around the company so that they can focus solely on the needs of companies with less than 10 employees, it was keen to stress that the renewed attention on smaller players will not be to the detriment of consumers or larger enterprises.

Dubbed Vostro, which is Latin for 'yours', Dell's new notebook and desktop computer offerings are all designed to help reduce costs, time and complexity for smaller businesses, according to company executives.

"Vostro changes the game by empowering small business owners to choose the exact IT solutions they need to be successful," Dell's chairman and chief executive Michael Dell at the launch event in New York this afternoon, which was held in conjunction with launch events in the UK, France and Germany this morning.

"For too long, entrepreneurs have been forced to fit consumer or large corporate solutions into their unique environments."

Prices for the new products start at £129 and £229 (excluding VAT and delivery) for desktops and notebooks respectively. Those buying Vostro PCs will also benefit from one year of Business Hardware Support warranty as standard.

The new Vostro vision also incorporates a range of automated support tools aimed at addressing the major technology headaches small businesses have to contend with. These include Dell DataSafe Online, which is designed for the online backup of up to 30GB of data, an online repository of support information in the form of Dell Support Centre, Dell Network Assistant which aids set-up, monitoring, detection and repair services and, finally, Dell Automated PC Tune-Up which provides a number of key tasks with just one click.

The global launch of its new Vostro notebook and desktop computer offerings has been complemented by an organisational refresh to ensure dedicated resources internally to support the new drive.

But that renewed focus won't be at the expense of other customers, according to Charlie Tebbs, director of brand management, for Dell's home and small business division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

"You will never see us risk any particular segment or our business from the largest to the smallest customer," he said when challenged that sceptics may suggest it's a case of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' by redeploying resources rather than hiring. "We are reallocating resources without opening up any risk in other areas," he added.

Today is just the beginning of the Vostro journey, according to Dell which is tipped to add another desktop to its new line up next month.

One thing is clear, Dell is out to snaffle market share from its competitors who in the main are still trying to get it right with smaller businesses who are often left with the sticky plaster-like choice of using products aimed at consumers or large enterprises.

"We're in this for the long term, there's no doubt about it. And I think we will be very successful," said Tebbs.

"Do we believe that these products and services will allow us to significantly increase our market share? Yes we do. We do expect to take an additional slice of the market but we won't declare a specific goal for that. Increasing market share is obviously very important to us. But it's not market share for market share's sake," he concluded, adding that, for Dell, it's about addressing the current gap in the market with relevant offerings as much as it is about stealing favour from the competition.

In conjunction with today's Vostro announcement, Dell also teamed up with Intel to unveil a new micro site aimed at giving small businesses the information they need when making technology buying decisions.

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