Highlights:

  • Project APEX makes it easier for Dell consumers to access IT-as-a-Service.
  • Project APEX unifies Dell Technologies Cloud and Dell Technologies on-demand offering to manage their cloud and as-a-Service journey.
  • Dell’s Storage-as-a-Service will be managed through Cloud Console.
  • Dell Technologies Cloud Platform enhances cloud compute resources accessible with instance-based offerings, extending subscription availability, and lowering entry barriers.

Dell Technologies Project APEX

Dell Technologies Inc. is unifying and expanding its “as-a-Service” offerings with the launch of Project APEX. This will make it easier for Dell partners and consumers to access its servers, storage products, personal computers, hyper-converged infrastructure, and networking on-demand.

Project APEX will unify its present Dell Technologies Cloud and Dell Technologies on-demand offering under one roof. The aim is to offer a more consistent “as-a-Service” experience for cloud, on-premises, and edge workloads.

Jeff Clarke, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman, Dell Technologies, commented: “We’re building upon our long history of offering on-demand technology with this initiative.” Further, he added, “Our goal is to give customers the freedom to scale resources in ways that work best for them, so they can quickly respond to changes and focus less on IT and more on their business needs.”

Central to Project APEX is the Dell Tech Cloud Console, which is now available in the US in preview. Thus, it offers a single interface through which consumers can manage all the on-demand Dell services and workloads they use. Dell commented, “Through it, customers can browse through the Dell Marketplace and choose from various cloud services and as-a-Service hardware offerings to address their needs.” Moreover, console makes it possible to deploy several cloud workloads, monitor costs in real-time with a few simple clicks, and manage multi-cloud resources.

Dell is planning to add on-demand offerings with the launch of a new Storage-as-a-Service. This on-premises portfolio of elastic and scalable storage resources can be managed through the Cloud Console. As per Dell, this offering will be made available next year.

The company also announced its new enhanced platform called “Dell Technologies Cloud Platform (DTCP).” This platform is pre-configured and is instance-based, with a subscription pricing of about USD 47 per instance per month.

Also, PowerProtect for Multi-Cloud is a new managed security offering that protects applications and data across public cloud platforms through a unique low latency connection. The company introduced a new “Flex on Demand” or pay-per-use pricing scheme for its on-demand services.

As per Dell, there will be a massive demand for its as-a-Service offerings. Rick Villars, Group Vice President: Worldwide Research at IDC (International Data Corp.), commented, “The agility and adaptability of the as-a-service consumption model will likely drive a three-times increase in demand for on-demand IT infrastructure by the end of next year.”

David (Dave) Vellante, Co-CEO of SiliconANGLE Media and Co-Founder and Chief Analyst of The Wikibon Project, commented: “The as-a-Service consumption model is an established new trend and one that he expects to evolve in the coming years. He said the likes of Dell and other traditional infrastructure firms such as Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co. are copying software-as-a-service companies by putting certain constraints on their deals, such as minimum terms of use.”

Vellante further said: “But over time, I think it will evolve to more consumption pricing like true cloud/pay-by-the drink models. I predict that infrastructure companies will get better and better, and as they gather more data. They’ll gain more confidence, and they’ll start to lean toward more of a consumption-based model.”

Dell Technologies playing the environment card

Also, Dell is playing the environment card to entice enterprises to its on-demand offerings with a promise to return and refurbish used information technology equipment to support its consumer’s sustainability goals. That comprises a commitment to resell approximately 100% of returned leased assets from its on-demand infrastructure program.