Dell Supply Chain Strategy Essay

Dell Computer Corporation was founded in 1984 by Michael Dell. From the early 1990s until the mid-2000s, Dell was ranked as a PC market leader relying on their distinctive marketing pattern “Direct Model” which undertook direct communication with customers and provided customized products. Recently, the PC industry is facing inconceivable worldwide competition, and Dell is gradually losing their competitive advantages by using its direct model in critical business segments. The company is facing shrinkage of growth, increasing competition, declining quality of customer service, and limitation of expansion. These issues have an enormous impact on Dell’s position as a technological giant in the PC industry.

Ford Motor Company is facing a major decision with regards to its supply chain strategy moving forward. The underlying question is, “how should the company use emerging information technologies and ideas from new high-tech industries to change the way it interacted with suppliers?”. Within Ford, there are 2 major, and opposing views. First, there are those that feel strongly that Ford should follow Dell’s model of “virtual integration” (reaping the benefits of vertical integration without vertically integrating) – using the model to communicate effectively with its suppliers, achieve and focus on inventory velocity, and allow its component suppliers to specialize. The other group believed that the Dell model would not

Third, Dell has a rapid-response system for linking all suppliers, workers, managers, and customers to Dell’s value chain. This interactive real time communication system is employed to order parts, manufacture and outsource computer modules, and coordinate assembly and distribution of products to customers. Managers employ this system for all human resource functions, workers and suppliers for all coordination sequencing and quality control processes,

Dell responded to changes in the market by determining how different segments of customers derive value from its products and services. The company 's analytics showed customer demand had become quite complex. The B2B market demands predictability, speed, customization, services and precision delivery. Consumers want multiple channel options, the ability to personalize for niche products, low-price options and devices that deliver content. This complexity will only increase as content and virtualization begin to drive the market. To address

Supply Chain Management is becoming more and more important for the success of today’s business world. Dell has realized this trend from its very first steps and has become one of the most successful PC companies in the world by putting emphasis on its supply chain, orchestrating its build-to-order and direct sales strategies. While most of the literature that covers Dell’s business and supply chain strategies is too theoretical, we suggest an analysis of a lower level using knowledge-based techniques. So, we have developed a business

In the past, Dell's supply chain was focused on being able to provide customers with a made to order computer. Dell are finding that although this strategy is profitable for customers that customise their configurations to the higher end of the configuration price bracket, when they are selling the base model, the cost of their complex supply chain is not efficient, as most of the complexities are not needed. Dell have recognised that not all segments of the market want a customisable computer, and are happy to purchase a limited configuration with slower delivery time. This will be especially true in emerging markets, where Dell believes customers will be looking to buy cheaper personal computers with fixed configurations. One of the major changes to their sales approach will see them entering the retail market, which they have already started to do. However, Michael Cannon did confirm that the direct model will remain important to Dell (SCN, 2008).

The biggest area of expansion for Dell is the consumer market. In order to develop more sales in this market Dell needs to focus more advertising on the needs and wants of the consumer. Currently Dell promotes its direct model, which is a key factor Dell needs to create a better position for itself in the consumer market. With all of the PCs in the market being more or less equal, Dell needs to focus on what differentiates its products from the competition, namely service and support.

Moreover, by directly dealing with the customer Dell got a clearer indication of market trends. This helped Dell to plan for the future besides better managing its supply chain. Another advantage Dell got by directly dealing with the customer was that it was able to get the customers’ requirements regarding the software to be loaded. By eliminating the need of a PC support engineer to load software, the customers gained both in time and cost. (Jhonson, 2013)

Dell Computer's initial business model concentrated on creating build-to-order personal computers to customers' specific needs. This has grown from a fairly modest operation to a $62B business as of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY 2012). Dell succeeded with an Internet-based business model by concentrating on the accuracy, agility and speed that its much larger competitors could not match. Honeywell, IBM and others could not match the speed and agility that Dell had in basic build-to-order product strategies, which would eventually grow into the core part of their business model. Dell was able to rely on the ubiquity of the Internet to create a much large, diverse customer base compared to its competitors who were constrained by traditional retail channels (as was IBM's case) or a reliance on direct sales forces (Salvador, de Holan, Piller, 2009). Dell was able to capitalize on latent customer demand for customized PCs, laptops and servers at a much greater rate that competitors who failed to see the disintermediating influence the Internet was having on distribution channels (Salvador, de Holan, Piller, 2009). Dell succeeded at this strategy where dozens of other companies failed by concentrating on having the most thorough integration of their supply chain, production, fulfillment and services online globally, all unified through secured Internet-based networks. While the many competitors Dell had

The PC industry has seen many changes in the past decade, such that there was a time when Dell was considered as one of the beloved brands of the internet era and now due to competitive and consumer behavioural changes, sales is not as prominent as it once was.

DELL Computers, a leading PC supplier to corporate and government customers, today is now among the first companies to provide its customers with the next level of industry-standard Pentium processor power, while many vendors are still struggling to broaden their processor-based product lines. Dell 's unique ability to take a market strategy position during important technology transitions because of its build-to-order manufacturing process. This build-to-order approach allows the company to maintain low inventory levels and integrate emerging technologies into systems. Today 's customers are reducing their supplier bases, providing the opportunity for the most capable suppliers to seize huge market share gains as Dell needs to redefine

The technology industry is one predicated on constant innovation. Products within the field must provide a compelling value proposition for consumers in order to properly maintain both margins and revenue. Technology companies, particularly those who manufacture products are realizing decreasing margins as the competitive environment matures (Bodie, 2004). Competition for foreign competitors has reduced margins and subsequently profit margins. Cost conscious consumers are now purchasing product based primarily on price rather than specifications. Combine this fact with the macroeconomic factors prevailing in the market and the industry has significant headwinds going forward one year from now. This is particularly true of Dell who has seen an erosion of market share due to the influx and demand of tablet computers. Less demand for traditional laptops has also decreased the profit and operating margins of the firm. Even within its own market, Dell has encountered significant competition for rivals such as HP, IBM, and Microsoft who recently announced its own tablet (Scheck, 2008). Below is a chart indicating markets share within the PC market over the last decade. Notice that market share gains after the housing market collapse have deteriorated. This reflects changing consumer sentiments regarding the overall purchase of PCs and heightened demand for alternative products such as tablets and notebooks.

A critical aspect of logistic management is managing inventory moving raw materials into the facility and moving finished goods out to customers. Moving finished goods out to customers is known as distribution. Distribution refers to the process through which goods and services go on their way to customers. The faster and more accurate accompany can fill customers order , the lower the cost for the organization the greater the likelihood that the customers will return .Dell uses a direct channel of distribution. Logistics management helps to contain costs as it relates to transportation when it is well coordinated. Example :when a customer orders a pc from Dell using the direct channel of distribution a courier is contracted to deliver the product to the customer in a specified. With logistics management a customer will be able to receive products ordered on

Dell has also employed two major strategies, customization options for clients who demand cutting edge technology along with a build-to-order option. As a result this has drastically increased its value to customers and also allows Dell to carry fewer inventories which could in turn result in obsolesce. In other words the overproduction is greatly reduced as the production is essentially in line with the demand and the market.

Started in 1984 as PC Limited, at first the company sold IBM PC-compatible computer built from stock. Later in 1985, the company produced the first computer of its own design, the Turbo PC that was sold for $795. The company changed its name to Dell Computer Corporation in 1988 and began expanding globally.