Dell's Vision for Intelligent Devices: Enhancing Workflows, Security, and Sustainability

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, laptop models have undergone a significant shift towards remote and hybrid setups. Dell Technologies, a leading player in the industry, has been at the forefront of this transformation.

In an exclusive interview, we spoke to Vivekanand Manjeri, Brand Director, Client Solutions Group, Dell Technologies India, to explore how Dell is utilizing these experiences to inform the development of their new devices for the upcoming year. We also delve into Dell's efforts to enhance intelligence and security features, addressing the rising need for robust protection against cyber threats and improved workflow management.

What changes has Dell observed in the work landscape over the past couple of years, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote and hybrid work environments? How is Dell utilizing these experiences to inform the development of their new devices for the upcoming year?

In the post-pandemic era, the work environment has transformed into what we now refer to as a hybrid work environment. This means that regardless of their location, employees expect technology to be available and provide seamless access to data and applications, while also delivering optimal productivity outcomes and user experiences. While the fundamental principles haven't changed, there is a notable increase in the number of work environments employees navigate, including working from home or transitioning between home offices and customer locations. Flexibility policies enable remote work or require employees to spend varying amounts of time in the office, defining the hybrid work environment.

Consequently, the role of commercial PCs, or business PCs, has become significantly more important as they serve as productivity gateways for the entire workforce. User scenarios have evolved, with some professionals favoring portable devices for on-the-go productivity, while others require larger screens or more powerful machines. Dell Technologies has responded by enhancing the intelligence of their devices and incorporating robust security features across different form factors. This ensures employees can maintain productivity without compromising user experience.

Additionally, customers are shifting their focus from individual devices, such as PCs, towards end-to-end solutions. The emphasis now lies on providing fully integrated solutions where software and hardware seamlessly collaborate, leveraging intelligence to deliver desired outcomes for customers. It's crucial to note that security remains a critical aspect, considering the sensitive data stored within PCs, which holds significance not only for employees but also for customers and their partners.

These factors have necessitated a fresh perspective when considering the portfolio. Upholding the core tenets of user experience and delivering manageable devices without compromising security remains the guiding principles for defining the commercial portfolio.

How has Dell enhanced the intelligence and security features on their devices to address the rising need for robust protection against cyber threats and to improve workflow management for users?

Definitely, intelligent and secure PCs are essential. Let me begin by explaining that Dell PCs are considered the most intelligent commercial PCs. As part of our commercial portfolio, we offer an enhanced optimizer software—an AI ML based software that extends intelligence within the PC and goes beyond the latest generation. It integrates the PC with the rest of your ecosystem and peripherals.

The optimizer software understands user requirements and learns from users during the initial days of usage, automatically allocating system resources to enhance productivity. For instance, it includes features like echo cancellation, which is part of intelligent audio. During conference calls, it monitors voice quality and notifies when the quality is poor. This is just one example of how intelligence is built into the optimizer to enhance collaboration. We've also introduced other features within the optimizer, such as seamless management of peripherals and displays using a single interface. The optimizer software can be extended to manage the entire ecosystem of devices. In addition to existing features like intelligent audio express response, which adapts to each user and allocates system resources to boost productivity, the Dell optimizer software offers various other functionalities.

We ensure that security is built-in at both hardware and software levels, creating a state-based environment. In our portfolio, we emphasize both above and below the line security and continuously make enhancements in this area. In recent news, we collaborated with CrowdStrike to create a hardware supply chain security offering. This offering includes features for detecting, managing, and remediating threat events, complemented by additional security software. These are just a few examples of our commitment to delivering the most secure commercial PCs. We combine the power of the Dell optimizer and our security offerings at both hardware and software levels to provide a comprehensive solution that integrates security and intelligence.

What new design elements or priorities does Dell have in mind to produce sustainable devices in the market?

Dell is launching the Latitude 9440, which is the world's smallest 14-inch commercial PC with a 16:10 aspect ratio and an InfinityEdge display. It offers features like a haptic collaboration touchpad and a zero lattice keyboard. The thermal design has been improved with a dual reading fan for cool and quiet performance.

Additionally, Dell has introduced sustainable design elements, such as a mini LED backlit keyboard that reduces power utilization by up to 70% and extends battery life by three hours. The Latitude 7000 series includes the Latitude 7430, the smallest and lightest 13.3-inch premium commercial laptop weighing under one kilogram, and the Latitude 7440, the world's smallest and one of the lightest 14-inch commercial laptops. The Latitude 5000 series features the Latitude 5440, the world's smallest and most secure mainstream business laptop. All these devices are equipped with the latest 13th generation Intel processors.

The Precision portfolio introduces the Precision 5680, the world's smallest footprint 16-inch mobile workstation with an InfinityEdge display and high-performance features. The Precision 3480 targets users who multitask across business and office applications, while the Precision 7780 is aimed at high-end content creators requiring performance and reliability. The OptiPlex 7410 all-in-one desktop offers powerful computing, and Dell is launching a 34-inch curved USB hub monitor with advanced features like ComfortView Plus and built-in speakers.

Regarding sustainability, Dell is committed to its ESG 2030 goals. By 2030, Dell aims to reuse or recycle an equivalent product for every product sold and have over 50% of its product portfolio made from recycled or renewable materials. The Latitude 5000 series uses recycled plastic, reclaimed carbon fiber, and renewable materials. The use of recycled and renewable plastic in this generation has increased by 64% compared to the previous generation.

The Latitude 9440 and Precision 5680 incorporate 75% recycled aluminum in their chassis, and Dell has also used recycled copper in the power adapters. Dell emphasizes sustainability in every step of product development, focusing on achieving its 2030 goals. The Latitude and Precision portfolios currently ship with 100% recycled or renewable packaging. Dell Precision Optimizer software includes a quiet mode that automatically saves around 18% power usage when activated. These sustainability efforts reflect Dell's commitment to environmental responsibility and align with customer demands for sustainable products.

How have you addressed concerns about battery life for portable laptops, and what improvements have been made in terms of battery optimization and technology to ensure longer battery life?

When it comes to battery life, what is considered good can vary for different users and organizations. Some users prioritize quick task completion and don't mind frequent recharging, while high-end users focus on completing designs and running simulations efficiently to meet deadlines. To address these needs, we offer options such as six-cell batteries or long-life cycle batteries that are optimized to manage multiple charge cycles over a longer period. This approach tackles battery design from a hardware perspective. However, software optimization plays a crucial role as well.

Dell's optimizer software includes various features for battery management. For example, you can customize settings to determine when the battery should start charging. Many users keep their PCs connected to power while working, but it's unnecessary to charge the battery as soon as it drops from 90% to 80%. This type of charging cycle can actually be detrimental to battery life, consuming one cycle unnecessarily. With our optimizer software, you can intelligently set the charging threshold, so the battery only charges when it falls below a certain percentage, even when the machine is connected to power. This approach has significantly improved efficiency, PC performance, and most importantly, battery longevity through software optimization. Until there's a significant breakthrough in battery technology, software intelligence plays a vital role in optimizing commercial PCs.

Can you provide more information about the impact on performance when using the specific feature that reduces power usage by 18%? Will there be any noticeable differences, or is it simply an optimization feature?

Essentially, the feature adjusts the thermal settings of your device to achieve up to an 18% reduction in power usage. It intelligently identifies power-hungry applications among the ones running and reallocates power accordingly. Background processes that don't require excessive power have their resource and power allocation reduced. This optimization ensures that overall power consumption remains low while efficiently allocating power and resources to power-hungry applications. Additionally, activating the quiet mode assumes that the user won't engage in resource-intensive tasks for a certain period, leading to automatic power consumption reduction through thermal management adjustments.