Dell leads customers to an easy Windows 2000 transition

Dell Computer Corporation, the world`s leading direct computer systems company, has announced the availability of a new range of web and telephone based services as part of its Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program. Through these services, Dell is providing all the necessary customer support to make the migration to Windows 2000 simple and cost effective.

Dell has also announced that it has been taking orders for select desktops, notebooks and workstations incorporating Windows 2000 Professional as of January 31, and will begin taking orders for PowerEdge servers with Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server in early February. English, French and German language configurations will be available, with other language configurations following, as they are released by Microsoft.

Leigh Hancock, desktop and notebook product manager, Dell South Africa, explained: "Most IT managers are dreading the time when they have to switch their users from Windows NT, 95 or 98 over to Windows 2000, simply because any migration can be time intensive and complex. We are hoping to make the process as painless as possible through our support services, so that our customers can continue to get the best out of our servers, notebooks and desktops and to take full advantage of the benefits of Windows 2000."

Windows 2000 offers users a range of advantages including higher system reliability, expanded Internet functionality, greater mobile connectivity, improved security and enhanced software management.

"Our direct relationship with customers provides unparalleled insight into the individual needs of our customers. This knowledge, coupled with Dell`s ongoing partnership with Microsoft, enables us to offer our customers migration support to help them no matter how complex the environment," concluded Hancock.

Customers that are planning an early migration to Windows 2000 Professional can order certain models of Dell desktop PCs, notebooks and workstations with the new operating system from January 31. These include the OptiPlex GX110 and Dimension XPS T Series desktops, Latitude CPx, and CPt, Inspiron 7500 notebooks, and the Dell Precision Workstation 420. Other models are expected to be available in the near future. Additionally, Dell will begin taking orders for the PowerEdge Servers with Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server in early February. Microsoft will officially launch Windows 2000 on February 17. Dell will offer Windows 2000 Datacenter on its PowerEdge servers when it is made available from Microsoft later this year.

In addition, Dell has aggressively launched a number of initiatives as part of its Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program to ease customers` transition to the new operating system. Dell began factory installing Windows 2000 Beta 3 on its servers, workstations and corporate desktop and notebook PC lines in April 1999. Thereafter, in November 1999, Dell launched a free upgrade program for customers who purchase Windows NT Workstation 4.0 installed on Dell desktop, notebook and workstation products, until the end of March 2000.

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Initially, a range of Windows 2000 migration support services will be available to Dell customers. As the Windows 2000 migration accelerates, Dell Windows 2000 service offerings will be expanded to meet customers` evolving needs.

Current offerings of the Dell Windows 2000 Premier Migration Program include:

• Windows 2000 Information and Training Resources: As a Windows 2000 development partner with Microsoft, Dell has vast expertise in optimising the Windows 2000 platform for any customer environment. Customers are gaining increasing insight through Dell`s Global Web-based FAQs, the DellTalk forum.

• Windows 2000 Readiness Advisor: Any Dell customer can utilise the Web-based "Readiness Advisor", which uses their Dell system`s service tag number to provide upgrade advice for their specific PC or server to Windows 2000.

• Custom Factory Integration: Windows 2000 software images can be loaded directly onto Dell PCs and servers before they leave the factory.

• Installation: Qualified technicians are available to install Dell Windows 2000 systems in the customers` location.

• Windows 2000 Technical Support: Dell`s award-winning 24x7 toll-free telephone technical support representatives are fully trained on Windows 2000 and available to help customers with start-up and support issues.