Adapt and Harness Change: How Business Connects

People—and the businesses they run—are not constrained by the four walls of their corporate headquarters. They work with partners, they meet customers, they work on the road. Success in this business environment requires building strong, flexible connections within this dynamic network—connections that allow people to adapt quickly to change and harness it to meet business objectives. Innovative software can move businesses beyond the constraints of phones, faxes, and memos to efficient, standards-based connections by knocking down organizational and technical boundaries, strengthening relationships, and leveraging existing investments.
Dell is a good example of a company that constantly works to forge better links with its customers and partners. Using Microsoft technology, Dell recently linked a number of systems to give customers and partners up-to-the-minute information on Dell systems’ prices and features. For instance, Web services were developed to provide online partners with real-time pricing or to verify shipping addresses. As Dell employees saw these tools’ value, they too started using them, regardless of whether they were meant for customers or partners.
Dell also has deployed Microsoft solutions to help streamline data warehouse support systems, develop an internal sales user interface that shares shopping baskets and other sales tools between Dell.com and other Dell business units, and create a Dell MyAccount service that provides personalized information to customers. With Microsoft technology, Dell has forged new and stronger ties to customers, partners, suppliers, and employees, helping the company adapt to any change in its business climate.