Dell launches digital forensics service in a bid to glean service revenue

Posted Jul 7th 2009 12:30PM by Brian White
Filed under: Products and Services, Launches, Dell (DELL)

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL), which could be looking at any area to try and stoke sales, will be making available a digital forensics service that aims to cut down on the time it takes to inspect and audit digital evidence. In other words, it's becoming a computer hard drive examination and recovery service. Don't we already have those?

Yes, digital evidence proliferates in the digital age, and Dell's stated goal is to help close the delay gap between recovery of digital evidence and presentation of that evidence to help in criminal cases. Dell's service is different, though -- it will enable customers to manage their own forensics efforts with miniature data centers Dell will advise on and help build.

Since Dell no longer operates its business units geographically around the world, but around customer groups, this could add to the company's annual $15 billion customer service revenue segment. That is, if it markets this new service correctly. IDC indicated that the digital forensics market would climb to $630 million in 2009, up from just $252 million five years ago. The service was announced in London, and hopefully Dell will see a decent chunk of service revenue on this venture.

For Dell investors, growth can't come soon enough.

Tags: Dell, Dell forensics, Dell service, digital forensics, inthenews