Dell: A Continued Love Affair With Managed IT Service Providers

If there is one thing that has remained consistent throughout my IT career it is this: My passion for Dell as a champion for managed services providers (MSPs) that want to provide the best possible technology for small- to mid-sized businesses.

I find myself once again in Austin for DellEMC World (once known as Dell World).

I have never been in the EMC community, and in all fairness, EMC was a big enterprise play for this small-business-focused IT professional.

Excuse me if I skip over EMC for the rest of this article.

I am small business-focused – sorry to all you enterprise folks out there – because to me, it's the heartbeat of any economy.

Whether in Canada or the U.S., it is the large segment of the business population that makes the economy spin.

Small businesses have the same wants, passions, desires, goals, dreams and objectives as their larger counterparts. We just do it on a smaller scale. 

Information Technology is crucial and Dell is my preferred partner to help small businesses meet their business objectives.

It takes a great partner to help them achieve these highly sought after business goals. Such partners will always be necessary.

Amid that backdrop, I couldn't think of a better reason to reach out to some of my long-time clients at Ulistic.

This handful of hard-working MSPs put their trust in a company like Dell.

MSPs celebrate victories when their clients win, as well as bear the brunt of disappointment when technology breaks down.

According to MSPs I speak with, technology breakdowns are not a major worry because, as Dave Shaffer of Tier One Technology Partners in Baltimore, Md., puts it: “Dell has the best warranty in the business."

Lance Stone, with San Francisco’s On Time Tech, has been a Dell Partner since he opened his doors 12 years ago. He raves about how Dell allows him to customize solutions for his small business clients.

"Dell always has really great pricing and, let's be honest, that is one of our top concerns," Stone said.

On Time Tech continues to work with Dell despite many other options, Stone said, because of the vendor’s "price, reliability and compatibility."

I've found that many Dell partners feel the same way.

"As a premier partner, I also enjoy the help and support I get," says Joerg Laves from IT Secure Services in Manchester, NH.

Shaffer’s relationship with Dell dates back to 2000.

"They make us look good," he said.

What do others think?