Michigan’s Rochester Community Schools Selects Dell as Exclusive Technology Provider
Michigan’s Rochester Community Schools and Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) today announced an alliance in which the district’s 14,000 students, their teachers and parents will be equipped with a full suite of Dell technology products and services.
The agreement, valued at approximately $8 million, includes technology products and services from notebooks and desktops to network servers, storage area networks and services.
“We are looking to build new opportunities for communication and collaboration within the community, and to help teachers use voice, video and Internet technology to teach our students,” said John Schultz, superintendent of Rochester Community Schools, one of Michigan’s largest school districts. “Our new relationship with Dell will help our students reach even higher levels of performance.”
Beginning in the 2001-2002 school year, Dell will provide computers and equipment for every Rochester classroom and technical support to host, upgrade and maintain the district’s Web site: www.rochester.k12.mi.us. Through the Web site, Dell will help the district build virtual classrooms and distance learning capabilities, including electronic registration for online and community education classes and a special online area for teachers to post assignments.
Schultz said the district selected Dell, the No. 1 provider of personal computing systems to education in the United States(a), because of its ability to customize its products and services, and for the cost benefits of an industry-standard platform.
“Technology is vital to helping students succeed in the digital age,” said Bill Rodrigues, Dell’s vice president and general manager for education and healthcare. “It is especially gratifying to work with a district like Rochester, a community that values and fosters technology skills and helps prepare its students for the 21st century.”
Additional Dell support includes a special purchase program for teachers, allowing them to acquire new technology at a discounted price, as well as sponsorship programs and fund-raising for the Rochester Community Schools Foundation.
“Dell is a good partner because they are interested in helping our entire community,” said Schultz. “That’s the best kind of partner to have when you are looking toward the future and your goal is to be innovative, collaborative and inspirational.”
About the Rochester Community Schools
Located approximately 30 miles north of Detroit, Rochester Community Schools covers 66 square miles and includes 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools and one alternative center for learning. The District will open a new elementary school and a third high school in August 2002.
About Dell
Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL) is the world’s No. 1 computer systems company and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company’s revenue for the past four quarters totaled $32.6 billion. Dell ranks No. 48 on the Fortune 500, No. 154 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 7 on the Fortune Global “most admired” lists of companies. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.
Contact Information
Dell Computer Corporation, Austin
Dean Kline, 512/728-8626
Amy King, 512/725-2743
