Since I first blogged about solution providers back in May, I've received lots of e-mail from customers who want more information or have asked how to register with Dell. Besides those inquiries, we've been having conversations with many solution providers since then.

Many of you have asked for things like a dedicated partner website, a deal registration tool, dedicated sales and customer care teams, partner logos and guidelines for marketing to customers, training and certification and more.

Today, we're introducing PartnerDirect, which is a program that formalizes many of our efforts working with solution providers. It's our initial step to allow solution providers access to Dell's expertise in areas like build-to-order, software customization, and solution deployment capabilities.

Beyond the PartnerDirect website at www.dell.com/partner, we're also launching a PartnerDirect discussion board on the Dell Community Forum. PartnerDirect is now available to channel partners in the United States and will be available in additional countries beginning in early 2008.

In just over an hour (at 12:15 - 1:15pm Central Time), Dell is hosting a Partner Town Hall Meeting. Greg Davis, who is the vice president and general manager of Dell's Americas Channel Group will talk about this program and Dell's long-term vision for working with partners. There will also be a Q&A session during the second half of the call.

If you are interested, here are the details:

• Dell Partner Town Hall Meeting
• Wednesday, December 5; 12:15 - 1:15 Central Time
• (800) 871-6754
• Meeting Key: 25623984

In this vlog,  Greg explains PartnerDirect in more detail, discusses how we plan to address channel conflict, evolving Dell culture and gives insights to how we will shape this area of our business moving forward.