Microsoft and Dell Team Up for First Asia Pacific Retail Experience Store

Malaysia Selected as Launch Pad for Digital Lifestyle Concept Shop

Kuala Lumpur, November 21, 2008 – Microsoft Malaysia and Dell, two of the most respective global technology brands, today announced the grand opening of the Microsoft-Dell Retail Experience Store in Asia.

Located prominently in Mid Valley Megamall, this first of a kind retail concept store for Dell in the region, will enable customers to enjoy a more personalized experience in familiarizing themselves with Dell products. This 1,200 square feet digital boutique will showcase the latest Dell desktop and laptop product lines powered exclusively by Microsoft genuine software. Some of the Dell product lines, which will be bundled up with any of the Windows Vista and Microsoft Office, series currently include:

(From L-R): Launching the Dell-Microsoft Retail Experience Store are Ivan Omar, Senior Marketing Manager, ASEAN Consumer, Dell, Dylan Fan, Director, Data Ezy Systems Sdn Bhd and KT Ng, Director, Windows Client Group, Microsoft Malaysia.

· Dell Inspiron Notebooks (fixed configuration – OS only)
· Dell XPS Notebooks/Desktops (hardware & software)
· Dell Studio Notebooks/Desktops (hardware & software)
· Dell notebooks/desktops (built to order)

More than just a direct distribution channel, the Microsoft-Dell Retail Experience Store will offer after sales support, thematic mini seminars and an on-site built-to-order sales coach to serve the needs of various end users.

“We have different levels of engagements with our customers and the Dell-Microsoft Retail Experience Store will cater primarily to students, housewives, gamers and small-scale business operators. We want to provide this specific clientele niche with even greater accessibility and feel of our products via our ‘Experience Zone’. Whether they merely want a software upgrade or buy an entirely new work or play station, we will have highly trained Microsoft and Dell teams on-site to help them decide on the ideal solutions for them. It’s all about the ultimate digital lifestyle experience right at your finger tips,” said KT Ng, Director, Windows Client Group, Microsoft Malaysia. The Microsoft and Dell Experience Store will serve as the benchmark for future concept stores around Asia.

Also at the launch, Ivan Omar, Senior Marketing Manager, ASEAN Consumer, Dell, said, “Malaysia is an important customer base for us to grow our business in Asia. Our Malaysian consumers are highly tech savvy and we believe that by joining forces with the world’s leading software company and selecting a strategic location for our retail concept store, we can offer a unique kind of digital experience to our Malaysian customers.”

By partnering with one of the world’s leading computer and notebook makers, Microsoft will leverage on Dell’s aggressive entry into Malaysia to enhance the market penetration of Vista and Microsoft Office. “It is very much a strategic alliance with Dell as we are creating a myriad of opportunities to complement the other aspects of Microsoft’s endeavors like our drive on anti-piracy. By encouraging consumers to purchase Dell products, we will be able to educate our customers on the advantages of going genuine which ultimately translates into a more robust revenue stream,” KT explained.