Round Rock, Texas-based Dell Inc. is a diversified information-technology supplier that provides products and services directly to customers worldwide. Its products include servers, customer data storage, printing and imaging systems, workstations, notebook computers, desktop computers, networking products, software and peripheral products, managed services, deployment services, support services and training and certification services. Its market includes the home and office, gaming, small business, medium and large business, government, education and health-care sectors.
History
Michael Dell started Dell in 1984 from his dorm room at the University of Texas with the concept of selling computer systems directly to customers. In 1985, the company designed its first computer system. Two years later, Dell became the first computer systems company to offer next-day, onsite product service. In 1988, the company made its initial public offering of 3.5 million shares at $8.50 each. In 1996, the company was added to the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index and began selling computers via its Web site. By 2000, company sales via the Internet had reached $50 million per day. The next year, Dell ranked No. 1 in global market share. In 2004, Kevin Rollins took over as Dell's CEO.
Officers
Kevin Rollins is Dell's president and CEO. He previously served as Dell's president and COO, vice chairman and president of Dell Americas. Rollins serves on the federal Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation and is a member of the Computer Systems Policy Project and the U.S. Business Council. Susan Sheskey is the company's vice president and CIO. Her responsibilities include Dell's global information systems and technology infrastructure. Jim Schneider serves as the company's senior vice president and CFO. He oversees all controller functions; corporate planning, tax and treasury operations; investor relations; corporate development; real estate; risk management and the development of internal audits. Mike George is the company's chief marketing officer and vice president of the company's U.S. Consumer Business division.
In The News: Keeping Soldiers And Laptop Users Connected
At least 150 soldiers oversees now have e-mail access thanks to Dell. On Oct. 14, the company announced that it had donated 150 refurbished desktop computers to Fort Bragg families in collaboration with Operation Homelink, a nonprofit organization that provides older but still useful computers at no cost to parents and spouses of junior enlisted service men and women deployed outside the United States. A month earlier, the company announced that it had teamed with Cingular Wireless to offer Dell customers notebook computers with Cingular's third-generation wireless broadband technology. The notebooks will be available in the first quarter of 2006. The notebooks will be equipped with integrated High-Speed Downlink Access wireless broadband capability, offering customer choice in network providers.
-- Compiled By Jonathan Katz. This appeared in IW's Dec. 16, 2005 issue.
Primary Industry
Computers And Other Electronic Products
Executive 1
Michael S. Dell, Chmn.
Executive 2
Kevin B. Rollins, Pres., CEO
Revenues (US$ Millions)
49205
Revenue Growth (%)
18.73
Earnings Per Share (US$)
1.18
Total Equity (US$ Millions)
6485
Profit Margin (%)
6.18
Return On Equity (%)
48.46
Debt To Equity Ratio (%)
0.08
Market Capitalization (US$ Millions)
102034.09
Revenue Growth (%)
18.73
Note: Financial data appeared in IW's August 2005 issue. Note: 2005 financial information.
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