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Microsoft Corp.

Dell's DirectConnect: A Gathering of World Computing Leaders

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Dell Computer Corp. is set to host a historic gathering of world powers in the computing industry, with some of the biggest names in the business, including Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Intel Corp. Chief Executive Craig Barrett, joining Dell's CEO Michael Dell to share their strategies for continued world domination. The event, called DirectConnect, is expected to draw over 1,400 Dell customers and will be a key milestone in Dell's emergence as a leader in the PC industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dell's DirectConnect gathering will feature major players in the computing industry, including Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco Systems, with over 1,400 customers in attendance.
  • The event marks a significant milestone in Dell's transition to a leader in the PC industry, following the decline of Compaq Computer Corp.
  • Dell's business strategy is mutually dependent on Microsoft and Intel, with the company's operating system and processors dominating the PC market.
  • The stakes are high, with International Data Corp. forecasting Internet sales to reach $1 trillion by 2003, with Dell, Microsoft, and Intel poised to dominate the market.
  • Despite the dependence of the companies, there have been instances of conflicting strategies, notably in the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust suit against Microsoft.
  • The event is expected to provide a platform for Dell to showcase its offerings and provide free publicity for the company, which is still perceived to have image problems.

Statistics:

  • The event is expected to draw over 1,400 customers and potential customers, including major industry players.
  • International Data Corp. forecasts Internet sales to reach $1 trillion by 2003.
  • Dell reported a 47 percent jump in second-quarter profits, while Compaq Computer Corp. reported a $184 million loss in its latest quarter.
  • Microsoft's Windows is the operating system in more than 90 percent of the world's PCs, and Intel processors run over 80 percent of those machines.
  • Dell's CEO Michael Dell is worth an estimated $10 billion, making him one of the richest entrepreneurs in the world.

Sources:

  • "Bush Squeezed by Scandal" by Jerry Mahoney, Austin American-Statesman
  • "Dell's DirectConnect at a Glance" by Austin American-Statesman

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