Cloud computing and Dell
Dell Inc., a Texas-based personal computer maker, is the world’s second largest PC and server manufacturer and vendor.
Started in 1984 by a student operating from a university dorm room, Dell has grown to be one of the biggest companies in the world in only 25 years, with revenues of over $60 Billion and total assets valued at over $27 Billion—making it richer than some small countries.
As of 2008, Dell had a workforce that was 80,000 strong—making it one of the biggest employers in the technology sector.
Dell Products
Although primarily known to many people as a PC maker, Dell’s product line includes a whole range of computing hardware, including servers, notepads and computer peripherals like printers.
Dell is also involved in the manufacture of network switches and software development (mainly software that is required to drive their hardware.)
Perhaps in the spirit of technology convergence, Dell has also made some quite successful ventures in the TV market.
Dell’s products are targeted at a whole spectrum of technology consumers, from the biggest corporate users to individuals looking for notepads and netpads.
Dell and Cloud Computing
As a leading server manufacturer, Dell is one of the many companies who are driving the Cloud Computing revolution that is beginning to take shape.
Dell has been so enthusiastic about cloud computing that they have attempted to trademark the very term ‘cloud computing’—although it was a bid that was unsuccessful.
Nonetheless, Dell started an arm called Dell Cloud Computing Solutions, which is entirely dedicated to developing and vending equipment required for cloud computing.
As it turns out, Cloud computing comes with new and unprecedented server power requirements.
Take for instance the sheer amount of computing power required for a machine that is supposed to (potentially) run millions of applications from millions of users in millions of different places—as the ideal cloud should—and you get a glimpse of what it takes to come up with such a powerful machine.
Dell Cloud Computing Solutions promises to walk with the cloud computing client (who could, for instance, be a cloud computing service provider) through a process that culminates in the development of cloud computing solutions completely tailored to the needs of each particular client.
This, according to Dell Cloud Computing Solutions, is achieved through a process that starts right from the design of the data center (which Dell Cloud Computing Solutions helps the client with,) to the provision of specific hardware components to make the ‘cloud’ happen.
Not only that, but Dell Cloud Computing Solutions gives clients continued support once the cloud is up and running, in a very unique user support model.
Clearly, based on this, it would not be too far-fetched to say that Dell has proved to be the biggest direct supporter of cloud computing among big tech firms.
Indeed, there has been a feeling in some quarters that Dell is perhaps the force that is driving cloud computing and could, in due time, become the biggest beneficiary of the same.
Should this come to fruition, it has the potential to improve Dell’s fortunes even further, as signs point to cloud computing as the future of corporate (and possibly even personal) computing.
The Future of Cloud Computing at Dell
Dell’s earnest attempts at putting a trademark on the term Cloud Computing shows just how much importance the company places on the new shift in computing, and how far it is willing to go to be at the forefront of this technological revolution.
Meanwhile, Dell has been developing products that will tap the opportunities cloud computing is likely to bring, an advantage to both the company and their clients.
Specifically, Dell has been developing extremely powerful cloud optimized servers in preparation for the future demands of cloud computing – which are likely to be huge.
In this respect, their XS-23 II server, once it becomes widely available, is likely to give a big boost to cloud computing, because it is built specifically for the needs of cloud computing.
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Category: Dell
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