Dell posits move to the back end

Dell Computers is pushing into the Internet server market and offering more services for companies setting up Internet connected businesses.

The Service Provider Direct (SPD) program from Dell Computers will provide companies that sign up with Internet-related service the ability to build on Web strategies or even begin new ventures.

Aimed at ISPs, ASPs and Web Hosters, membership to the service is done on a case-by-case basis with co-marketing also on offer to assist the dot-com start-ups.

Mark Wheeler, UK and Eire marketing director for enterprise products said the servers will run on Red Hat Linux v6.2 or Windows 2000. Wheeler said: "The servers in place will have the extra capacity needed for expansion and the ability to deal with the surge economy."

Julian Phillips, head of alliances and partners at Dell, said SPD is just one part of what Dell is doing. He said: "We will also be providing expert services and will be expanding further into new ventures with the re-branded Dell.com Ventures, which has already invested into 90 companies to the tune of $750m."