Dell, Inc.

Dell, Inc. {{nasdaq|DELL}}, a company based in Round Rock, Texas, manufactures and markets computer-hardware (mostly Intel/Microsoft Windows-based workstations and portables). The marketplace perhaps associates Dell Computer most with the personal computers it designs, manufactures and sells for home and office use, but Dell also operates in the enterprise computing market with servers, data storage devices, network switches and computer cluster lines. Personal digital assistants (PDAs), software and peripherals (including printers) round out Dell's product offerings.

Corporate activity

Financial information

Dell incorporated as a Texas corporation in 1984 with a capitalization of US$ 1000, the minimum allowed by Texas law. Dell stock trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York under the symbol DELL. As of 31 December 2004 the company had a market capitalisation of $104.69 billion.

Related Topics:
Texas - Nasdaq - New York - 31 December - 2004

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In its fiscal year ended 28 January 2005 Dell made a net profit of $3.32 billion on revenue of $49.2 billion. These figures represent 26% and 19% growth respectively over the previous fiscal year.

Related Topics:
28 January - 2005

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Direct Sales

Dell sells all its products, both to the consumer and to corporate customers, using a direct sales model. Dell neither operates retail stores nor sells products through other retailers or resellers. Dell Inc. does, however, showcase its consumer-oriented products at kiosks in major malls. The sales staff at the kiosk may assist customers in ordering a product for shipment to their home.

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The Dell direct business model, which eliminates the middleman, has a reputation for its speed of sale-to-delivery. Dell builds computers to order and this keeps its inventory costs low. Customers pay for product items before Dell builds those items: this gives Dell a negative cash conversion cycle.

Related Topics:
Business model - Inventory - Cash conversion cycle

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Advertising

Dell advertises heavily on television, on the Internet, in magazines and in newspapers, using constant "special offers" to encourage sales.

Related Topics:
Advertises - Television - Internet - Magazines - Newspapers

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A popular, widely-parodied television and print ad campaign in the USA in the early 2000s featured young actor Ben Curtis playing the part of "Steven" - a cocky, and lightly mischievous blond-haired kid, who came to the assistance of bereft computer purchasers. Each television advertisement usually ended with Steven's catch-phrase: "Dude, you're gettin' a DELL!"

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During the past few years, Dell commercials have featured three "Dell interns" who learn about the company and show off Dell products, services and employees.

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Diversity

Dell received a 100% rating in the third (2004) Corporate Equality Index released by the Human Rights Campaign group to evaluate gender-preference practices of commercial bodies in the United States of America.

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