Analyzing the Dell Technologies strategy from a CIO perspective

Dell Technologies has embarked on an ambitious strategy that encompasses many things of interest for the transformational CIO. It starts with their ‘moonshot’ goals and continues into value, risk, reputation, trust and specific technological solutions for the enterprise.

AIMING FOR THE MOON

Starting in 2019, global corporations saw the need to change their narrative and consider the other stakeholders beyond the shareholder. This includes their impact to people and the planet. Some of the biggest changes include their effect on sustainability, inclusion, social and economic impact, ethics and privacy. Dell Technologies’ moonshot goals take into account these very issues head on and in a very meaningful way.

Dell Technologies is no stranger to addressing change in the workplace and impact to the planet. Sustainability has been part of their focus for years now. The four moonshot goals for Dell Technologies include: Advancing sustainability, cultivating inclusion, transforming lives and upholding ethics and privacy. Specific details related to their moonshot goals is on their website. While Dell is very transparent that their moonshot goals are ambitious and they are not sure how they will make it happen, it is refreshing to see a corporation take a stand while being transparent and candid. These are the issues that all of our companies will need to address today and in the future.

Dell is creating a vision for their customer and considering the impact technology has in many ways. Moving from data centers to cloud or how we manage data privacy changes the way we think about technology and how humans interact with it. Dell’s intent is to take a leadership role in driving this conversation and creating opportunities for customers.

CHANGING THE WAY WE CONSUME SOLUTIONS

One of the ways Dell is creating opportunity is how customers consume technology. Dell is well known and respected for their solutions of hardware, software and services. But Dell also understands that the business of their customers is changing and is much the technology they use and how they consume those solutions.

Cloud computing has had a huge impact on how companies consume technology resources. However, not everything can move to the cloud. Their Dell Technologies On Demand (DTOD) subscription-based model changes how customers consume Dell product and services. With DTOD, customers now have the ability to move their on-premises infrastructure from a capital intensive (CapEx) model to an operational expense (OpEx) model. Most customers will likely use a combination of the two depending on resources and application requirements.

UNDERSTANDING VALUE AND RISK

The level of complexity facing enterprises today is significant. With this complexity comes a question around value and risk. Corporate boards are facing increasing pressure from customers and shareholders to manage risk appropriately. For the CIO, this becomes a balancing act to deliver value while managing risk. And at speed.

At the center of this debate is data. While we transform our organizations to manage data in a more meaningful way and increase the value to customers, we run the risk of violating privacy. It is not an easy balance to keep.

Dell understands this complexity and is looking at ways to instill security and privacy by design. Rather than the traditional approach of it being an afterthought, Dell is looking for ways to automate the process. As organizations think about how best to use their data, all vendors in the technology stack need to consider this balance.

TRUST AND REPUTATION

Maintaining this balance is key to maintaining a strong relationship with your customers. Increasingly so, a strong customer relationship relies on reputation. And at the center of reputation is trust.

Dell has built trust with their customers over several decades now. But they also know that trust can erode quickly. They must remain vigilant in their resolve to stay close to their customers.

Dell’s moonshot goals align closely with changes in how we view corporate reputation. As technology becomes more integral in a company’s operations, no longer are technology providers just a tool provider, but they are increasingly becoming a close partner.

VISION AND TECHNOLOGY

Dell is well positioned with their vision and direction to align themselves with the changing needs of customers. They will, however, need to ensure that they stay on-point with the specific technologies as well.

They are already well engaged with cloud-based solutions, edge computing and 5G. Each of these are front and center to the CIO’s technology agenda and Dell is positioning themselves to play an instrumental role in their success.

This post was sponsored by Dell Technologies.