3 Oct 02. Dell (Nasdaq:DELL – News) and the United States Marine Corps today announced one of the largest acquisitions of computers ever by the Marine Corps, including more than 60,000 Dell(tm) OptiPlex(tm) desktop and Dell Latitude(tm) notebook computers.
The systems are part of the Marine Corps’ Enterprise Sustainment Initiative, announced earlier this year. Many of the Dell Latitude notebooks are planned for use by Marine Corps combat troops, replacing older, outdated systems with some of the latest portable computer technology available. Orders for the systems will begin immediately.
This announcement allows the Marine Corps to update its worldwide information technology infrastructure prior to the arrival of systems from the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) project, while remaining consistent with the products included in that program. Working in conjunction with EDS, the prime contractor for NMCI, the Marines will be able to integrate systems delivered under the Enterprise Sustainment Initiative into the NMCI program.
“The Enterprise Sustainment Initiative was put in place to give the Marine Corps a seamless transition to the NMCI systems when they roll out, and with today’s announcement, we will be able to accomplish that mission,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Ochs, deputy program manager, Navy/Marine Corps Intranet project. “Dell was able to provide us with a very flexible solution and rapid deployment of the much-needed computer systems, while allowing us to effectively manage the costs on this project.”
The project announced includes leasing to the Marine Corps approximately 30,000 desktop computers and 30,000 notebook systems, along with a variety of services. For example, Dell will install the systems on-site, transferring the existing data from the old computers to the new ones, and removing the old systems. The company is also providing 4-hour service for the desktop systems and CompleteCare(sm) for the notebook systems, under which Dell will repair or replace the notebook if it has been accidentally damaged.