Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, one of the world's leading vendors of computer systems, is trying to further improve its customer support, adding more value to its hardware products. In a recent move to provide users with more options from its online Download Store, launched early this year, in January, Dell has just announced that its customers will now be able to purchase and download software products developed by the Redmond, Washington-based software giant, Microsoft. Users of Dell laptops and computer systems will now have a choice for purchasing the latest Microsoft software products directly from Dell's new download store.

 

“With everyday savings plus on-demand access, the Dell Download Store addresses our customers’ two main concerns: price and immediacy. In addition, downloading is a more environmentally friendly way to purchase and distribute software because there’s no need for packaging material,” said Geoff Surkamer, general manager, Dell Global Digital Distribution.

 

According to Dell, its Download Store, which has been launched in January 2009, is currently visited by an average of 10,000 people, making this online environment a good choice for providing its customers with some of the most popular applications for computer systems. Such applications include Microsoft's Office Home and Student 2007, which is available for a price of US$129.99, compared to the MSRP of US$149.99.

 

When launched, Dell's Download Store was compared to that of one of its main competitors, Apple, and its famous App Store, where users can turn to purchase various software applications for their iPod Touch and iPhones. However, by comparison, Dell's service offers software for various user categories, including business and office, video and music editing, home security and more. The Download Store offers one more feature, that is to allow users to download a software application that they have already purchased in order to solve potential crashes, at no extra charge.