News
Dell Now Selling Microsoft Software via Download
- By Becky Nagel
- June 15, 2009
Dell Computer Corp. announced late last week that it is the first company aside from Microsoft to offer Microsoft software for sale via direct download.
U.S.-based customers visiting Dell's Download Store can purchase and download the Office suites or individual Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Visio.
A quick check shows that pricing on Dell's site ranges from slightly to substantially less than the pricing on Microsoft's own online store. For example, Store.Microsoft.com is offering the Office Home and Student 2007 Suite for $149.95; on Dell's site, it's $80.99. Microsoft Office Standard sells for $399.95 on Microsoft's site; Dell is offering it for $352.99.
"With everyday savings plus on-demand access, the Dell Download Store addresses our customers' two main concerns: price and immediacy," Geoff Surkamer, general manager, Dell Global Digital Distribution, commented in a prepared statement.
According to Dell, the company's online store, which debuted in January of this year, averages approximately 10,000 visitors every week. Other software vendors offering their wares through Dell's online store include CA, McAfee, AVG and Intuit.
About the Author
Becky Nagel is the vice president of Web & Digital Strategy for 1105's Converge360 Group, where she oversees the front-end Web team and deals with all aspects of digital projects at the company, including launching and running the group's popular virtual summit and Coffee talk series . She an experienced tech journalist (20 years), and before her current position, was the editorial director of the group's sites. A few years ago she gave a talk at a leading technical publishers conference about how changes in Web browser technology would impact online advertising for publishers. Follow her on twitter @beckynagel.