Dell was facing problems with the battery life of its existing portable computers and held a meeting to discuss recommendations for a new laptop line. Dell had three options for the new product development process: continue using a proven battery technology, use a new but unproven lithium-ion battery technology, or defer the battery decision until further testing. Dell ultimately decided to pursue dual development of both battery technologies until additional testing was completed to determine the best path forward for its new Latitude laptop series.

1. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AT DELL COMPUTER CORPORATIONPRESENTED TO:PROF. SUBIR GUHAPRESENTED BY:MOHD.ARISH

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis case is all about dell computer which in spite of taking a good start got stuck into cash crunch in 1993.

3. The company is also facing problems with their existing design of portable computer as they had some technical problem relating to battery life.

4. For solving the problem a meeting was held in hopes the group could reach a consensus on recommendation for developing a new line of laptop computers. THE PERSONAL COMPUTER INDUSTRYThe first digital computer were designed by Charles Babbage in the 1830’s.

5. Micro computer revolution started in 1970’s, with machine catering to hobbyists and hackers.

6. In July 1974 an electronic magazine promoted a printed circuit board that came with instruction book for simulation.

7. In late 1970’s and 1980’s apple computer California based firm successfully commercialized an intuitively “easy to use” interface.

8. Initially Texas Instruments and Zenith entered in the business segment of microcomputer.

9. To play catch-up, IBM rapidly leveraged-off its traditional corporate base and strong direct sales and services organization.

10. It outsourced hardware & software components to launch its IBM personal computer in 1981.THE HISTORY OF DELLIn 1983 Michael Dell a freshman at the University of Texas, Austin started upgrading IBM compatible personal computers door to door for local business.

11. He soon started buying and assembling components himself in order to sell computer his name directly to customers.

12. High growth and attractive margins allowed him to fund growth internally and he began to get number of orders from large oil companies and government agencies.

13. In order to promote dell product , dell started 24 hour complaint hotline & offer a supply of back up replacement equipment.

14. Dell’s company grew to $6 million by 1985, firm introduced its own brand of personal computers and ended with $70 million in sales. DELL BUSINESS MODELDell computer used the same principal to sell computers. The company focused on selling customized products directly via mail to shabby customer.

15. Dell assured product quality by extensively pretesting all the configuration options it offered.

16. A 24-hour telephone support system comprising well-trained technical representative provided the first post-shipment level of support.