Michael Saul Dell is a successful businessman; he attended the University of Texas at Austin intending to become a physician. While attending the university, he started a computer company called PC's Limited in his dorm room. He had his first encounter with a computer at the age of 15, when he broke down a brand new Apple computer and rebuilt it, just to see if he was able too. Dell dropped out of school to run the business full-time. The company grossed more than $6 million in its first year.
Dell began the business manufacturing personal computers with some radical ideas, including maintaining no finished-goods inventories and practically no component inventories, building only to order, and selling and delivering the completed PC units directly to the customer.
In 1987, PC�s Limited changed its name to Dell computer corporations and then again in 2003, Dell, Inc. The company became the most profitable PC manufacturer in the world, with sales of $35 billion and profits of $2 billion in 2
In 1985, the company produced the first computer of its own design (the "Turbo PC"), which contained an Intel-8088, compatible processor running at a speed of 8 MHz. It advertised the systems in national computer magazines for sale directly to consumers, and custom-built each unit from a selection of options. This offered buyer�s prices lower than those of retail brands, but with greater convenience than assembling the components themselves. Although not the first company to use this model PC's Limited became one of the first to succeed with it.
Throughout my research I was able to find valuable information through the internet that connected me to various sites to further my research. In my findings I was able to find a time line through the years and changes that Dell has approached.
In 1987, PC's Limited set up its first on-site-service programs - to compensate for the lack of local retailers to act as service centers.
In 1988, the company changed its name to "Dell Computer Corporation".
In 1991, Dell Computer tried selling its products indirectly through warehouse clubs and computer superstores, but met with little success, and the company re-focused on its more successful direct-to-consumer sales model.
In 1992, Fortune magazine included Dell Computer Corporation in its list of the world's 500 largest companies.
In 1999 Dell overtook Compaq to become the largest seller of personal computers in the United States of America.
In 2002, Dell lost this position to Hewlett-Packard when HP acquired Compaq.
In 2003, Dell again regained the lead. To recognize the company's expansion beyond computers, the stockholders approved changing the company name to "Dell, Inc." at the annual company meeting in 2003.
In 2004, the share of sales coming from international markets increased, as revealed in the company's press releases for the first two quarters of its Fiscal 2005 year.
On December 22, 2004, the company announced that it would build a new assembly plant near Winston-Salem, North Carolina; the city and county provided Dell with $37.2 million in incentive packages; the state provided approximately $250 million in incentives and tax breaks.
In 2004, in an effort to improve support, Dell opened a pilot-project of Dell-owned and operated technical support, operating out of Edmonton, Alberta. Supporting both Dell and non-Dell hardware and software, this site has quickly begun taking over from outsourced call centers. Dell International Services functions as a support division of Dell.
In 2005 Dell attempted to expand its business by tapping into the multimedia and home entertainment markets with the introduction of Televisions, handhelds, digital Jukeboxes. Dell has also produced Dell-brand home and small-office printers.
In February of 2005, Dell appeared in first place in a ranking of the "Most Admired Companies" published by Fortune Magazine.
Today the different types of new approaches to technology continue to be produced and add to the sales of Dell. With new MIS advances such as the new Dell XPS computers, they are designed to deliver the latest technologies and high-performance features. They are ideal for advanced multimedia and entertainment applications in the home or office.
Throughout the many different changes and approaches that Dell has taken they still continue to remain ranked at the top, their ever new ideas and product catchers that attract consumers have been constant since the start of the company. With advances like these Dell will continue to prosper as it has for years. I chose to do this topic because I wanted to learn more about the background of Dells Corporation and what they have offered for years and what new advances and approaches they are taking to continue the growth of their company. Through this experience I have learned it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to successful run a prosperous business along with talented people who are always looking for new ways to increase the technology world.