Dell unveils new server for SMBs 8 September, 2008 By Liam Lahey

"Customers want systems that are easy-to-use, affordable and help protect their most precious asset -- information," said Sally Stevens, director, Dell PowerEdge Server Product Group. "With products like the PowerEdge T100, we are investing heavily in our server and storage solutions specifically geared toward the issues our customers tell us are most important."

According to a nine-country survey of small business owners and decision makers recently conducted by Dell and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), adequate data back-up and ensuring safety of company data are two of the three top pain points and among the most important issues driving IT investments among small businesses worldwide.

Meanwhile, Warren Shiau, associate partner, senior analyst, IT division, The Strategic Counsel, said Dell's latest entry-level spec; a first-time buyer machine; looks like it's good value. But the problem for everybody with this market has always been more along the lines of getting the small or home business to buy a server, rather than the problem being having something to offer them.

"So we'll see how things go in these broader market terms," he said. "The thing about support programs is that their effectiveness always boils down to what users/subscribers experience. There's a general non-vendor specific laundry list of user issues when it comes to support that everybody on the user side would be happy to see addressed: like not getting the run-around; getting someone who speaks English well, and who is actually knowledgeable (not just running through a checklist), etc.

"Hopefully Dell consistently takes care of the laundry list."

An ideal first server for growing small businesses, the new PowerEdge T100 features the latest quad-core Intel Xeon Processor, internal, locked-down USB 2.0 port, chassis intrusion switch, Trusted Platform Module chip, and RAID architecture that can prevent data loss by transparently performing data backups, up to 8GB of memory, I/O technology and internal storage capacity of up to 2TB enables the T100 to scale as small businesses grow and color-coded internal components.

Additional one and two-socket servers, direct attach storage and iSCI storage area network solutions launched earlier this year that underscore Dell's commitment to delivering customer-driven SMB technologies include the PowerEdge R300 and T300 servers, PowerEdge T605 server, Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series and PowerVault MD1120, officials said.

Also recently introduced, Dell ProSupport breaks the mold of traditional support by providing tailored IT support services including direct access to certified technicians 24/7, popular small business software application assistance and configuration help.