Dell launches customised PCs for SMEs

To cater to a potential customer base of 9 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Dell launched its Vostro range of products, today.

Identifying that the main problems faced by the SMBs, which usuallly have less than 25 employees, was the lack of knowledge of information technology (IT) and IT management, Dell launched three laptops and two desktops to fulfill the customised needs of the SMBs.

Vostro (Latin for "yours"), comes with less trial software other than anti-virus, as well as offers for low-cost remote back-up of information. The new range aims at reducing the cost, time and complexity of managing information technology for customers of all sizes.

Dell had recently slipped in the rankings in the notebook category in the lastest IDC rankings, thus this new range is seen as an attempt to capture one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian market to regain its position.

Commenting on the release of the Vostro range, Rajan Anandan, Vice President & General Manager said, "Vostro changes the game for small-business owners by empowering them to choose the exact IT solutions they need to be successful."

The Vostro notebooks come at a starting price of Rs 31,900 and provide AMD as well as Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The Vostro desktops available in mini and slim-tower form factors, based on Intel Core 2 Duo processors, are avaliable at a starting price of Rs 20,900.

To provide the SMB customers with a complete package, Dell provides specialised sales and technical support. It also provides enhanced online resources and communities to help small-business owners, through its 700 technicians in the country.

"Vostro brings together the necessary technology and services that small business owners crave for: affordable, no- nonsense, easy-to-manage feature-packed desktop and notebook PCs that result in companywide efficiency, helping workers work smarter, not harder," said Prakash Bagri, Intel's Director of OEM Business for India.

SMBs in India had spent an approximately $2 billion last year on Information technology needs, and about 8 million SMBs plan to buy a PC in the next 12 months.