Initially, the service is targeted at businesses with 1,000 to 5,000 employees, but Dell is accommodating those with as few as 500 employees, said Joyce Mullen, VP of Dell SMB Services. Eventually, Dell will offer the service to smaller businesses, she said. "We know customers with one to 5,000 users need service. For us, it's a matter of making the economics work," Mullen said.
Called PC Workspace Services, the service is a Dell-hosted help desk that can take first-level support calls, provide remote support for Dell and multivendor client systems, and handle duties such as installation, moves, changes, desk-side support, repairs, responsible systems removal, and software support, the company said.
PC Workspace Services includes Web-based tools to help organizations gain service information, measure performance, and assist with program management. On-site support will be offered through a partnership with Unisys and other systems integrators, said Mullen.
PC Workspace Services customers can pay a fixed fee for support during each billing period and can add optional services as needed to the base invoice. Dell is also offering financing through its Dell Financial Services. Orders of more than $500 placed through Sept. 30 may be eligible for a special promotional offer of a zero percent, 30-month lease, the company said.
The SMB strategy follows a significant push by Dell last year to sell managed services to large companies. In October, for example, Dell signed a five-year service pact with Boeing Co.