Spotlight On: Sean Hayes, General Manager, Dell Technologies
June 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Sean Hayes, general manager of Dell Technologies, highlighted Dell’s focus on customer relationships, AI integration in products, robust cybersecurity measures, commitment to sustainability and an optimistic outlook for future growth and innovation.
What are some recent milestones and achievements for Dell Technologies in the last year?
Dell, especially within North Carolina, has been marking significant milestones. We have three campuses in the state: the Apex campus, RTP, and Durham. Our collaboration across these campuses contributes to our collective success in North Carolina.
A major milestone for us was the Apex site’s 40th anniversary, which Dell acquired about six years ago. We’ve celebrated this with employee recognition events and various community engagements. Our partnership with the Apex Chamber of Commerce and involvement with the North Carolina Chamber and NC Tech reflect our commitment to local communities. We’re proud sponsors of these organizations. Additionally, we’ve achieved milestones in employee engagement with charities. Our team members actively participate in school events, charities, and other nonprofits, which is a source of pride for us at Dell.
In the context of the current economy, how are you adapting business strategies to maintain market position and support customers?
In response to the economic environment, our focus has been on executing and sustaining customer relationships, while closely managing our operations and costs. We’ve been effective in controlling expenses and rigorously measuring our internal productivity and efficiency, particularly in North Carolina.
A key aspect of our strategy is ensuring we meet our customers’ needs. As a factory leader, I emphasize close alignment with our sales and account management teams. Our goal is to deliver exactly what our customers want when they want it. We also pay close attention to any customer experience issues, including delivery processes and installation setups, to ensure top-notch service.
How do your products and services benefit businesses in terms of cost optimization in the current climate?
In our storage market, we focus on delivering more features for the same or slightly lower cost, which is beneficial from a customer perspective. We’ve adopted a storage-as-a-service model over the past year, offering greater flexibility and scalability to our customers, particularly smaller ones. This model has proven to be a valuable proposition for our customers. Internally, we refer to this initiative as Project Apex, though it’s not named after the town of Apex.
At Dell overall, we’re integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into our products. Over the past year, we’ve developed many offerings that incorporate AI, particularly in storage. This integration enhances the capabilities and efficiency of our products for customers.
How will customers benefit from your push into AI and machine learning?
Our products in the near future will feature embedded AI functionalities, which will be showcased at upcoming events like Dell Technologies World. These advancements in AI are seen as the wave of the future in our industry. While I’m more focused on operations and not marketing, I can share that our product roadmaps increasingly include AI and machine learning features. These features are in response to growing customer demand for smarter, faster and more efficient solutions.
Our customer engagement and services also focus on helping clients understand and leverage AI to enhance their business operations. So, while I can’t delve into specific feature sets, it’s clear that AI and machine learning are becoming more prominent in our products, reflecting both our innovation and market demand.
How are you addressing cybersecurity and data protection concerns?
At Dell, we have a robust cybersecurity and data protection system. Internally, our focus is on establishing multiple layers of defense in our IT infrastructure, including stringent firewalls and controlled access, especially in critical areas like manufacturing spaces with test machines and equipment. Our office applications are also closely monitored.
Externally, we offer products with built-in data protection features, such as the ability to control traffic, which is increasingly demanded by customers in the storage market. With data continuously growing, developing effective tools and systems to safeguard against threats is essential. We emphasize password protection, accessibility measures, and two-factor identification to ensure the security of personal information.
How is Dell prioritizing sustainability in its operations and product development?
Sustainability is a key focus for us, with various programs in place both locally at our Apex factory and at the corporate level. At Apex, we adhere to ISO certifications for environmental and energy management. We set annual targets for energy savings and implement projects to meet these goals, which benefit both the environment and our costs.
One initiative is our foam densifier, which compresses foam from our raw materials into smaller, recyclable blocks. As a zero-waste-to-landfill site, we promote extensive recycling practices within our factory. Across Dell, we offer comprehensive recycling programs for not just our products but also other items, ensuring appropriate disposal and recycling of materials. We take pride in our sustainability efforts, actively engaging our team members in these initiatives.
What is your outlook for Dell Apex and the overall tech industry in the next two to three years?
The future looks promising for both Dell Apex and the broader technology industry. We anticipate more opportunities, avenues, and increased usage of technology. Although we’re currently experiencing a period of lower demand, these are typical industry cycles, and we expect to return to normal growth rates by late 2024.
Internally at the Apex facility, we have several initiatives aimed at achieving world-class manufacturing. People are one aspect, but we are also pursuing automation projects. We’re developing a fully automated production line as a prototype for our future factory. These investments will ensure we stay at the forefront of technological advancement.
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