Our Story: Into the enterprise

It’s been great to see Dell’s end-to-end solutions in the news lately. Marius Haas, president of Dell Enterprise Solutions, did a terrific job sharing our vision for the data center last month in Silicon Valley. Just last week, we celebrated our one-millionth custom hyperscale server sale through our Data Center Solutions (DCS) business. And today, November 8th, marks yet another milestone — the 18th birthday of our PowerEdge server line and Dell’s official entry into the world of enterprise computing.

Looking back, the mid-90s was an exciting time. Powerful trends like the adoption of x86 servers, the proliferation of PCs, and this novelty called ‘the Internet’ were revolutionizing how technology was consumed, delivered and sold.

NYT server news 1994

 Our PowerEdge business grew fast despite the dominance of Compaq and IBM, which collectively owned 65 percent of the server share in 1994. We were focused and aggressive, and we developed differentiated technology that was standards-based and customer inspired. Sound familiar?

Our customers embraced the change. By 2001 we were the leading provider of Intel-based servers in the U.S., and our leadership continues today. We are the No. 1 server manufacturer in the Americas and No. 1 worldwide in density optimized servers, like those designed and delivered by DCS.

PowerEdge opened up a world of opportunities for Dell. Along with the broader enterprise solutions and services business we’ve built around it, the PowerEdge server line remains a clear differentiator as we work with customers to address their business challenges.

About the Author: Michael Dell

Michael Dell is chairman and chief executive officer of Dell Technologies, an innovator and technology leader providing the essential infrastructure for organizations to build their digital future, transform IT and protect their most important information. With revenues of $91B and 157,000 team members, Dell Technologies is one of the world’s largest IT companies serving the needs of global corporations and governments to small businesses and consumers. The company's unique structure allows innovative, fast-moving startups to co-exist with, and leverage, the global reach and trusted reputation of the large enterprise. Michael’s story started when he founded Dell Technologies with $1000 in 1984 at the age of 19. Notably quoted as saying that “technology is about enabling human potential,” Michael’s vision of how technology should be designed, manufactured and sold forever changed the IT industry. In 1992, Michael became the youngest CEO ever to earn a ranking on the Fortune 500. Known and admired for his astute business vision and bold moves, Michael took Dell Technologies private in 2013, setting the stage to architect the largest technology deal in history with the combination of Dell, EMC and VMware in 2016 and the subsequent relisting of Dell Technologies on the public markets in 2018. In 1998, Michael formed MSD Capital, a private investment firm that exclusively manages the capital for the Dell family. And in 1999, he and his wife, Susan Dell, established the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to accelerate opportunity for children growing up in urban poverty in the U.S., India and South Africa. Michael is an honorary member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and is an executive committee member of the International Business Council. He is also a member of the Technology CEO Council, the U.S. Business Council and the Business Roundtable. He serves on the advisory board of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management in Beijing, China and on the governing board of the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, India. He is a board member of Catalyst and also served as the United Nations Foundation's first Global Advocate for Entrepreneurship.