Case Study: Dell Computer

Dell Computer is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. Company revenue for the past year totaled $57 billion.

Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. [Source: Dell Computer Corporation, April 2007]

Things to read:

Questions to consider:

  • What is the “direct business model”?
  • What are the strengths and limitations of the direct model?
  • What new business opportunities does the direct model afford Dell, which would not otherwise be possible?

Intellectual Property

Selected trademark applications and registrations:

  • DELL ®;
  • THE POWER OF TWO;
  • CONNECTDIRECT;
  • Search real-time for U.S. trademarks.

Selected patents:

  • 6,321,262 — System and method for identification and streamlined access to online services;
  • 6,167,383 — Method and apparatus for providing customer configured machines at an internet site;
  • 6,038,597 — Method and apparatus for providing and accessing data at an internet site;
  • 5,894,571 — Process for configuring software in a build-to-order computer system;
  • Search real-time for new U.S. patents granted to Dell on its patent web site.