Dell forays into networking space

CHENNAI: With the strategic acquisition of Data Center Networking leader, Force 10 Networks, PC major Dell has made its foray into the networking arena. Following the acquisition, Dell is planning to ramp up the Force 10’s R&D team based in Chennai over the next 12 months. “The team will play a significant part in Dell’s networking business,” said Dario Zamarian, Vice President of Dell Networking.With more than 265 engineers, Force 10’s Chennai Innovation Center is touted to be the global centre of competence for leading-edge and core product development. Some of the recent products of Force 10 were developed at the Chennai Center. Acquisition of Force 10 is Dell’s latest investment to broaden its networking portfolio. The company is also expecting to hire several hundred new team members for engineering, sales and marketing and services in Chennai and Silicon Valley according to its Vice President.With the acquisition of Compellent and EqualLogic, Dell is committed to maintaining and growing the existing Force 10 channel program. Dell Force 10’s customers include leading Web 2.0 and Fortune 100 companies, according to a release from the company. “India is playing a strategic part in driving Dell’s transformation globally into a solutions and service enterprise,” said Suresh Vaswani, Chairman, Dell India. “Chennai is critical growth engine from three view-points (that are) manufacturing, services and R&D,” he said. Dell’s only manufacturing facility in India is in Sriperumbudur. With the acquisition of Perot Systems as well, Chennai has emerged as the key center for Dell’s business in India.