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IT Manager at One Answer Insurance
Real User
Enables us to keep recorded calls onsite longer and reduced our server room footprint
Pros and Cons
  • "When it comes to handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads, the PowerEdge Rack Servers are fit for purpose. They do what they need to do."

    What is our primary use case?

    We have one PowerEdge Rack Server that we got a little while ago that is running Hyper-V and some Windows VMs and we just got a new one, which will be running SQL. We use them for Windows networking tasks. One is a file store server and the other is an application server.

    How has it helped my organization?

    These servers have expanded our storage for our call recording. We no longer have to offsite our calls prior to needing them, within the lifecycle of the call requirements. Before, we'd have to ship off some call recordings after two years, but we can now keep them onsite longer. 

    They have also optimized some of the infrastructure and allowed us to reduce our footprint in the server room. We were able to upgrade two servers into one and virtualize them when we got the PowerEdge.

    Some of the apps that are critical to our business are Office 365, Sage, which is a finance payment company in the UK, and AWS for some of our hosted solutions that are public-facing, because we don't want them coming in directly to our data center. The integration of these apps' workloads with our PowerEdge Rack Servers is of high importance. We're able to put our applications on them that integrate these services and have them automated and run without worry.

    Moving on to the new PowerEdge Rack Server that we have just purchased will definitely reduce downtime and allow more flexibility in our workloads, going forward.

    What is most valuable?

    While it's not specific to the PowerEdge side of it, I do like the new feature in the Dell servers, the BOSS system [Boot Optimized Storage Solution]. That is really nice. I don't know if it's unique to Dell, but I like it.

    And when it comes to handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads, the PowerEdge Rack Servers are fit for purpose. They do what they need to do. 

    I am also grateful for the security features, including the signed firmware, drift detection, and BIOS recovery.

    I haven't done any energy monitoring of our servers because I don't have a big enough server farm to need to monitor our power consumption at that level. It's not like I need to turn off half of our fleet to save costs during downtime hours. We have a very small footprint as far as service systems go. Having said that, the PowerEdge servers are probably more energy efficient than the older ones we have because the older ones are a lot bigger. They have a lot more active hard drives and spinning disks. These new servers are nice, clean SSDs. Overall, power consumption will have gone down.

    I use the Dell OpenManage console on occasion when I'm investigating an issue with the server, but thankfully, that doesn't happen very often. Using the console is pretty straightforward. I don't have any complaints about it. 

    What needs improvement?

    What annoys me about every server is just how loud they are when they're turned on, but that's just a function of the server. It's protecting itself. I can't complain that it's noisy when I turn it on, because it's not in its rack yet. It's sitting on a desk near me. That's just how servers work.

    Buyer's Guide
    Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
    February 2025
    Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
    838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We've been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for a couple of years and we've had at least one Dell in our system for going on 12 years now.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The servers that I have, have been humming away without me having to deal with them in any way, outside of Windows issues. Those issues have nothing to do with PowerEdge. They are the standard Windows issues. Overall, they've been working the way they're supposed to, so I have nothing bad to say about them.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I would imagine they scale very well. Our IT infrastructure has not been overly affected by having these servers. They are easily scaling to our needs and the equipment we have purchased far outpowers our business requirements, but they will be there when we need them.

    How are customer service and support?

    I haven't had to contact Dell's technical support for the server side. The only technical support from Dell we've had so far was for laptops.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We had HPE ProLiants, but I haven't bought any of those since the last one several years ago. We've gone to Dell since then.

    What was our ROI?

    They have good longevity and good warranties. If there were an issue (and we haven't had any) they are covered.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I'd like them to be cheaper, but that's not the world we live in and that's not where the pound is at. 

    The price was acceptable for what the product is. If I tried to build my own server, the cost difference would be negligible. And the brand support that Dell provides and the functionality that comes with the PowerEdge Servers made up the difference. So it makes sense. I don't have a problem with the cost. It is in line with what I'd expect.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I considered public cloud servers before choosing PowerEdge Rack Servers, but that solution wasn't fit for purpose in this case. We have some public cloud stuff that is useful in some cases, but we wanted hardware onsite for this specific device.

    What other advice do I have?

    In terms of native OS security features, we use Active Directory and we have BitLocker and some other things enabled. We mostly use them for compliance and because we have them. Nothing has forced me to look outside of the native-provided solutions.

    To protect ourselves from malware and other firmware attacks, we have Mimecast for email endpoints and we have ESET Endpoint Security for all of our clients and servers.

    The PowerEdge Rack Servers do what they say on the tin. I like them. And our latest one was delivered really fast. We ordered it on the 7th and it came on the 18th, which was unexpected and nice. That's a good turnaround time.

    Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2335590 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Leiter interne IT und Rechenzentrum at a media company
    Real User
    Top 20
    Helps to enhance operational consistency and reliability of our applications
    Pros and Cons
    • "What truly impresses me about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is their unwavering commitment to customer service, providing great assistance throughout the entire product lifecycle."
    • "I would like enhanced latitude in the machine assembly process."

    What is our primary use case?

    To ensure the continued success of our clientele, we leverage the robust capabilities of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers within the confines of our data center.

    The straightforward implementation of firmware updates on servers can often prove to be an elusive objective. Recognizing this arduous challenge, we opted to incorporate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers into our infrastructure, thereby facilitating a more streamlined and efficient process. 

    How has it helped my organization?

    Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have demonstrably bolstered the operational consistency and reliability of our applications, thereby enhancing the user experience for our esteemed clientele.

    Given our exclusive reliance on Dell servers, conducting a direct comparison of energy consumption across different vendors proves to be a rather intricate endeavor. Nevertheless, I am confident that the power usage falls within a range deemed satisfactory for our operational requirements.

    We leverage these server systems for an extended period of time, a practice that demonstrably contributes favorably to the principles of environmental sustainability.

    Dell PowerEdge servers have demonstrably curtailed the incidence of production downtime, the precise extent of which remains challenging to quantify. Nevertheless, a marked decline in service outages and a concomitant upswing in availability periods are irrefutable indicators of this positive development.

    The OpenManage Console serves as a streamlined nexus, consolidating a multitude of functionalities within a singular, intuitive interface. This holistic design fosters an enhanced level of productivity amongst IT personnel by eliminating the need to navigate through a maze of disparate applications.

    Dell PowerEdge servers have contributed to the overall flexibility of our operations. This translates to relatively short delivery times, which is a significant advantage. We can quickly acquire new servers without facing lengthy lead times. 

    What is most valuable?

    What truly impresses me about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is their unwavering commitment to customer service, providing great assistance throughout the entire product lifecycle. This unparalleled level of support extends for an extended duration, ensuring that our servers remain reliable and secure for years to come. Furthermore, the exceptional quality of these servers is evident in their engineering and robust construction, guaranteeing peak performance and unwavering stability even under the most demanding workloads.

    What needs improvement?

    I would like enhanced latitude in the machine assembly process. The current constraints, limiting configurations to a select few, often lack inherent rationality. This rigidity makes it challenging to construct servers that are meticulously calibrated to specific requirements. Ideally, we should strive for a system that allows for the bespoke tailoring of servers, ensuring perfect alignment with each unique need.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for 15 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    While Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have generally garnered a stellar reputation for their reliability and performance, we did encounter a recent hiccup on one of our machines. Thankfully, a dedicated support case was promptly established to address the issue. It turned out to be a faulty component, which was swiftly replaced, and the machine was soon humming along once more. All in all, our experiences with these servers have been overwhelmingly positive, with this singular incident serving as a minor bump in the road.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The servers are provisioned with their core hardware components at the time of acquisition. In most cases, further augmentation isn't particularly rational, although it is feasible to add supplementary memory or storage devices in exceptional circumstances. While this approach generally proves acceptable, it can present challenges in situations where the servers haven't been outfitted with the potential for future expansion. For instance, if a server is only equipped with a single processor, installing a second one later on is an impossibility. While this might seem suboptimal, it does offer the advantage of being cost-effective. After all, there's no need to construct the entire infrastructure if only a portion of it will be utilized.

    How are customer service and support?

    While previously the realm of technical assistance left much to be desired, with technicians rarely dispatched and resolutions often left frustratingly in our own hands involving the mere shipment of parts or miscellaneous supplies, a remarkable change has taken place. The current landscape of Dell support stands in stark contrast, characterized by the prompt arrival of technicians armed with the requisite materials or their express pre-delivery and a demonstrably high level of ongoing machine support, exceeding even our most exacting expectations.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    In the past, our server infrastructure relied on a patchwork of machines, cobbled together from various components and specifications. These solutions, while valiant efforts in their own right, often fell short in terms of reliability and consistency. Seeking a more robust and standardized approach, we migrated to Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, enticed by their reputation for superior quality and comprehensive warranty programs.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial deployment has been occasionally straightforward, but we have also come across instances where machines brought about challenging difficulties that were difficult to pinpoint. In the majority of situations, it's positive, but not consistently.

    Given the confines of our restricted IT infrastructure, we opted for a meticulous, hands-on approach to server deployment, manually installing each one within its own designated space.

    What about the implementation team?

    At the outset, our implementation lacked external assistance. However, we have now brought on board LSK Storage, a value-added reseller, to superintend a wider range of tasks, as we no longer shoulder the entire burden ourselves. Our interactions with them have been exceptionally positive, exceeding our expectations. Indeed, continued collaboration would not be on the table if their performance had been anything less than stellar.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The cost structure associated with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers presents itself as a potential point of contention for budget-conscious consumers, as it could be more strategically positioned to compete within the broader marketplace. Additionally, the degree of configurability offered by these server solutions might warrant further scrutiny, as it may not invariably align with the precise requirements of every individual user or organization.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    During our evaluation process, we meticulously assessed a diverse range of server solutions offered by multiple manufacturers. Ultimately, Dell emerged as the frontrunner due to their unwavering commitment to long-term product availability, ensuring the sustained viability and stability of our IT infrastructure.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would give Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a rating of nine out of ten. While they offer excellent flexibility, I find that it can be limited in certain situations. Users are required to commit to specific configurations and cannot always choose every desired processor or combination of components. Additionally, there are sometimes unclear dependencies between components, requiring the use of specific minimum amounts of certain resources. These limitations prevent me from giving them a perfect score.

    Our infrastructure is optimized for stability rather than raw processing power. While our servers may not boast the most formidable specifications, they consistently deliver reliable performance within their established parameters.

    Foreign Language: (German)

    Verbessert die betriebliche Konsistenz und Zuverlässigkeit unserer Applikationen

    Was ist unser Hauptanwendungsfall?

    Zur Gewährleistung des anhaltenden Erfolgs unserer Kunden nutzen wir die robusten Fähigkeiten der Dell PowerEdge Rack Server innerhalb der Grenzen unseres Datenzentrums.

    Die unkomplizierte Implementierung von Firmware-Updates auf Servern kann sich oft als schwieriges Unterfangen erweisen. Da wir diese schwierige Herausforderung erkannt haben, haben wir uns für die Integration von Dell PowerEdge Rack Servern in unsere Infrastruktur entschieden, um einen rationalisierten und effizienteren Prozess zu ermöglichen.

    Wie hat es meiner Organisation geholfen?

    Dell PowerEdge Rack Server haben nachweislich die betriebliche Konsistenz und Zuverlässigkeit unserer Anwendungen verbessert und damit die Benutzerfreundlichkeit für unsere hochgeschätzte Kundschaft erhöht.

    Da wir uns ausschließlich auf Dell-Server verlassen, ist ein direkter Vergleich des Energieverbrauchs verschiedener Anbieter ein ziemlich kompliziertes Unterfangen. Dennoch bin ich zuversichtlich, dass der Stromverbrauch in einem Bereich liegt, der für unsere betrieblichen Anforderungen zufriedenstellend ist.

    Wir nutzen diese Serversysteme über einen längeren Zeitraum, was nachweisbar einen positiven Einfluss auf die Prinzipien der ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit hat.

    Dell PowerEdge-Server haben nachweislich die Zahl der Produktionsausfälle verringert, wobei es schwierig ist, das genaue Ausmaß zu quantifizieren. Ein deutlicher Rückgang der Serviceausfälle und ein gleichzeitiger Anstieg der Verfügbarkeitszeiten sind jedoch unwiderlegbare Indikatoren für diese positive Entwicklung.

    Die OpenManage-Konsole dient als optimierter Mittelpunkt, der zahlreiche Funktionen in einer einzigen, intuitiven Benutzeroberfläche zusammenfasst. Dieses ganzheitliche Design fördert die Produktivität des IT-Personals, da es sich nicht mehr durch ein Chaos von unterschiedlichen Anwendungen bewegen muss.

    Die Dell PowerEdge-Server haben zur allgemeinen Flexibilität unseres Betriebs beigetragen. Dies führt zu relativ kurzen Lieferzeiten, was ein großer Vorteil ist. Wir können schnell neue Server erwerben, ohne lange Vorlaufzeiten einzuhalten.

    Was ist am wertvollsten?

    Was mich an den PowerEdge-Rack-Servern von Dell wirklich beeindruckt, ist der unermüdliche Einsatz für den Kundenservice, der während des gesamten Produktlebenszyklus hervorragende Unterstützung bietet. Dieser beispiellose Support erstreckt sich über einen langen Zeitraum und stellt sicher, dass unsere Server auch in den kommenden Jahren zuverlässig und sicher bleiben. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich die außergewöhnliche Qualität dieser Server in ihrer Technik und robusten Bauweise, die selbst bei den anspruchsvollsten Arbeitsbelastungen Spitzenleistungen und unerschütterliche Stabilität garantieren.

    Was muss verbessert werden?

    Ich wünsche mir mehr Flexibilität bei der Maschinenmontage. Die derzeitigen Zwänge, die die Konfigurationen auf einige wenige beschränken, lassen oft eine inhärente Rationalität vermissen. Diese Starrheit erschwert den Bau von Servern, die genau auf die spezifischen Anforderungen abgestimmt sind. Idealerweise sollten wir ein System anstreben, das die maßgeschneiderte Anpassung von Servern ermöglicht, um eine perfekte Ausrichtung auf jeden einzelnen Bedarf zu gewährleisten.

    Wie lange nutze ich die Lösung schon?

    Ich benutze Dell PowerEdge Rack Server seit 15 Jahren.

    Was halte ich von der Stabilität der Lösung?

    Obwohl Dell PowerEdge Rack Server im Allgemeinen einen hervorragenden Ruf für ihre Zuverlässigkeit und Leistung genießen, hatten wir kürzlich ein Problem mit einem unserer Geräte. Glücklicherweise wurde umgehend ein spezieller Support-Fall eingerichtet, um das Problem zu beheben. Es stellte sich heraus, dass es sich um ein fehlerhaftes Bauteil handelte, das schnell ausgetauscht wurde, und das Gerät lief bald wieder einwandfrei. Alles in allem haben wir mit diesen Servern durchweg positive Erfahrungen gemacht, wobei dieser einmalige Vorfall nur ein kleines Hindernis darstellte.

    Was denke ich über die Skalierbarkeit der Lösung?

    Die Server werden zum Zeitpunkt der Annahme mit ihren wichtigsten Hardwarekomponenten ausgestattet. In den meisten Fällen ist eine weitere Erweiterung nicht besonders rationell, obwohl es in Ausnahmefällen möglich ist, zusätzlichen Speicher oder Speichergeräte hinzuzufügen. Während sich dieser Ansatz im Allgemeinen als akzeptabel erweist, kann er allerdings in Fällen, in denen die Server nicht mit dem Potenzial für zukünftige Erweiterungen ausgestattet wurden, zu Problemen führen. Wenn ein Server beispielsweise nur mit einem einzigen Prozessor ausgestattet ist, ist die Installation eines zweiten Prozessors zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt nicht mehr möglich. Das mag zwar suboptimal erscheinen, hat aber den Vorteil, dass es kostengünstig ist. Schließlich muss nicht die gesamte Infrastruktur aufgebaut werden, wenn nur ein Teil davon genutzt werden soll.

    Wie sind Kundenservice und Support?

    Während früher die technische Unterstützung viel zu wünschen übrig ließ, da nur selten Techniker entsandt wurden und die Lösung des Problems oft frustrierend in unseren eigenen Händen lag, indem wir lediglich Teile oder sonstiges Material verschicken mussten, hat sich ein bemerkenswerter Wechsel vollzogen. Die gegenwärtige Lage des Dell-Supports steht in krassem Gegensatz dazu. Sie ist gekennzeichnet durch das prompte Eingreifen von Technikern, die mit den erforderlichen Materialien ausgestattet sind, oder durch deren ausdrückliche Vorablieferung und ein nachweislich hohes Niveau des laufenden Supports für die Maschinen, das selbst unsere anspruchsvollsten Erwartungen übertrifft.

    Wie bewerten Sie den Kundenservice und -support?

    Positiv

    Welche Lösung habe ich vorher verwendet und warum habe ich gewechselt?

    Früher beruhte unsere Serverinfrastruktur auf einem Patchwork von Maschinen, die aus verschiedenen Komponenten und Spezifikationen zusammengeschustert wurden. Diese Lösungen waren zwar für sich genommen sehr gut, aber in Bezug auf Zuverlässigkeit und Konsistenz oft unzureichend. Auf der Suche nach einem robusteren und standardisierten Ansatz wechselten wir zu Dell PowerEdge Rack-Servern, die durch ihren guten Ruf in Bezug auf Qualität und umfassende Garantieprogramme überzeugen konnten.

    Wie war die Ersteinrichtung?

    Die Ersteinrichtung verlief gelegentlich problemlos, aber wir sind auch auf Fälle gestoßen, in denen die Maschinen Schwierigkeiten verursachten, die schwer zu lokalisieren waren. In den meisten Fällen ist das Ergebnis positiv, aber nicht durchgängig.

    Angesichts unserer begrenzten IT-Infrastruktur haben wir uns für einen sorgfältigen, praktischen Ansatz bei der Serverbereitstellung entschieden, indem wir jeden Server manuell an seinem eigenen Platz installiert haben.

    Wie sieht es mit dem Implementierungsteam aus?

    Am Anfang fehlte uns bei der Implementierung die externe Unterstützung. Jetzt haben wir jedoch LSK Storage, einen Value-Added Reseller, an Bord geholt, um eine breitere Palette von Aufgaben zu beaufsichtigen, da wir nicht mehr die gesamte Last selbst übernehmen müssen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit diesem Unternehmen war außerordentlich positiv und hat unsere Erwartungen sogar noch übertroffen. Eine weitere Zusammenarbeit käme nicht in Frage, wenn ihre Leistungen nicht so hervorragend wären.

    Welche Erfahrungen habe ich mit den Preisen, den Einrichtungskosten und der Lizenzierung gemacht?

    Die Preisgestaltung der Dell PowerEdge Rack Server ist ein potenzieller Streitpunkt für preisbewusste Kunden, da sie strategisch besser positioniert sein könnten, um auf dem größeren Markt zu bestehen. Auch der Grad der Konfigurierbarkeit, den diese Serverlösungen bieten, sollte genauer untersucht werden, da er nicht immer den genauen Anforderungen jedes einzelnen Benutzers oder Unternehmens entspricht.

    Welche anderen Lösungen habe ich bewertet?

    Während unseres Auswahlverfahrens haben wir verschiedene Serverlösungen von mehreren Herstellern sorgfältig geprüft. Letztendlich hat sich Dell als Spitzenreiter herauskristallisiert, da das Unternehmen sich konsequent für eine langfristige Produktverfügbarkeit einsetzt, um die nachhaltige Rentabilität und Stabilität unserer IT-Infrastruktur zu gewährleisten.

    Welche anderen Ratschläge kann ich geben?

    Ich würde den Dell PowerEdge Rack-Servern eine Bewertung mit neun von zehn Punkten geben. Sie bieten zwar eine ausgezeichnete Flexibilität, aber ich finde, dass diese in bestimmten Situationen begrenzt sein kann. Die Benutzer müssen sich auf bestimmte Konfigurationen festlegen und können nicht immer jeden gewünschten Prozessor oder jede Kombination von Komponenten auswählen. Außerdem gibt es manchmal unklare Abhängigkeiten zwischen Komponenten, die den Einsatz bestimmter Mindestmengen bestimmter Ressourcen erfordern. Diese Einschränkungen hindern mich daran, ihnen eine perfekte Note zu geben.

    Unsere Infrastruktur ist eher auf Stabilität als auf reine Rechenleistung optimiert. Auch wenn unsere Server nicht die beeindruckendsten Spezifikationen aufweisen, liefern sie innerhalb der festgelegten Rahmenbedingungen stets eine zuverlässige Leistung.

    Welches Modell nutzen Sie für die Entwicklung dieser Lösung?

    Im Hause.


    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers
    February 2025
    Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
    838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    reviewer1332702 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Field Solution Architect at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees
    Real User
    Very scalable, delivers on promises, and offers good terms
    Pros and Cons
    • "The solution delivers what it promises. You look at the specs and it delivers them."
    • "Until they get new technology and density, it would be nice to see four nodes in a one-year package instead of a three-year package."

    What is our primary use case?

    We primarily used the solution for the servers. It's a node among many in a multiprocessor, supercomputer environment. It's a very verified application. The customer uses a lesser file system, which means that one file system is shared among the entire installation. You're not going to see that very often in your career unless you're in that business. It's a multi-node, high-performance computing file system. It's Linux based.

    What is most valuable?

    It fit the requirements of the client, that's really all that it was for us. It could deliver the IOPS and the local storage that was required. It could have been anybody else, Lenovo, IBM, HP, etc. We were Dell's number one reseller in Canada and probably worldwide. We got very favorable terms and that also helped with the decision.

    What needs improvement?

    The only way you could improve it is, for the purpose of HPC installations, is IOPS and the only way to improve it is to get a more powerful machine to deliver more IOPS. Basically, you need more CPUs and you need more RAM and you need a faster backbone. We were running on 100 gigabits Infiniband.

    Until they get new technology and density, it would be nice to see four nodes in a one-year package instead of a three-year package.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I'm recently retired, however, I did work with the solution on one of my last projects which lasted a few months.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution delivers what it promises. You look at the specs and it delivers them. If it doesn't deliver you move onto another model.

    There's really nothing special about it, and Dell doesn't make servers that are any better than anybody else's. The prime reason we chose it is that it delivers what it promises to deliver in terms of IOPS and the price right for us because when you're a platinum level reseller for a server company, they will give you very favorable terms especially in this time of a pandemic, hardware sales are down across the board for the entire industry.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It's very scalable. That's the whole idea. When you want to add more computation power to the platform you just throw in another act of compute nodes and storage.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I've never used technical support. Out-of-the-box it works, and if it doesn't, then the client deals with it directly. The equipment is sold to them so they own the serial numbers and they own the service contracts, so if anything went wrong during the installation the client would take care of them, not us.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We've worked with HP, Cisco, Lenovo, and IBM in the past. We always choose the solution that makes the most sense for our clients.

    How was the initial setup?

    We handed over the complete installation in September. We started in August. It takes time. You're coming into an empty room. You have to have power, you need the AC for the equipment there that has to be moved out. It takes time. The racks were pre-populated in Toronto and shipped to Montreal, and then in Montreal, they were set up and powered. We had liquid cooling and radiators on the rear of the cabinet for the heat.

    We've done many of these installations, and it's pretty routine. There's nothing complex about it. The complexity is mostly that there are so many key parts in terms of getting it delivered on-site. There are so many parts from so many different vendors and there are penalties if you don't deliver on time. Nobody wants to pay penalties.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I didn't deal with the pricing, and therefore don't know the exact costs. 

    However, they would compete with pricing on the market. Even if HP made an equivalent platform, and they do, we wouldn't get good terms. They're all pretty well in the ballpark range in cost and the variation. The list price might be 10%. They know what the competition is doing so they don't want to price themselves, the values, off the list of potential. If I'm looking at servers that deliver so much IOPS and they price themselves out, HP knows what Dell is doing and Dell knows what HP is doing.

    What other advice do I have?

    My company partners with Dell.

    I'm recently retired, however, I did most of the infrastructure, backup storage, and high-performance computing. I was in pre-sales. I was a solution architect. Therefore, I'm not an end-user.

    We only used Dell for the servers. We used Seagate for storage. They have hard drives. They've been in the hard drive business for 40 years.

    My biggest piece of advice for those considering the solution is to make sure they are delivered on time. When clients are spending $50 million for an installation and you say it's going to be ready September 15th, it better be ready September 15th. One of the main reasons stuff's not ready is because parts are missing. That means you can't deliver a complete solution. If you're missing a box of spare hard drives, they're just spares, they're not preventing the installation, however, they're missing, and therefore you haven't delivered the product.

    Overall, I'd rate the product ten out of ten.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    Graphic Designer at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
    MSP
    Good stability, easy to use, and easy to deploy
    Pros and Cons
    • "The solution is easy to use and very stable, and we are happy with it."
    • "It would be nice if it were all included as a part of PowerEdge so you can check your server's performance and availability online."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use the solution to host on a private cloud. We use a lot of the 600 and 700 series.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Dell has grown a lot since the fourth generation. When I buy Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, I don't have to worry about servers, stability, and ease of deployment.

    What is most valuable?

    The solution is easy to use and very stable, and we are happy with it.

    What needs improvement?

    Some of Dell's competitors have already been feeding a lot of the performance and availability data to an online platform. We haven't seen that with PowerEdge, or at least we never used it. It would be nice if it were all included as a part of PowerEdge so you can check your server's performance and availability online.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for a long time. I have been using it before it was called PowerEdge.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The solution's scalability is very good. Nowadays, you can jam so much infrastructure into very small 1U or 2U servers, which is very impressive.

    How are customer service and support?

    The solution’s technical support team is pretty responsive.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We use a lot of Supermicro servers, which are very good in terms of customizability. Supermicro servers can also be a lot aggressive in pricing. We use Supermicro for really lower-end and high-end servers. We use Dell for a lot of the middle-end servers.

    How was the initial setup?

    It is easy to deploy Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.

    What was our ROI?

    We have seen a return on investment with the solution in terms of stability and ease of use.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I wouldn't say the solution's pricing is the best, but it's very competitive.

    What other advice do I have?

    Right now, we're using a lot of 13, 14, and 15-gen PowerEdge servers.

    Many of our customers who do encryption at rest use Dell's TPM chip capability, which works.

    PowerEdge Servers are very good for handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads. We were able to use the solution to scale many of our compute nodes, which are used by many of our customers who need a lot of high computing. So, we're pretty happy with it.

    Nowadays, PowerEdge is very reliable and has helped reduce unplanned production downtime twice as much as five years ago.

    Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Louie Clarke - PeerSpot reviewer
    Senior Business Manager (Europe) at a tech consulting company with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Easy management, global support, and competitive pricing
    Pros and Cons
    • "We are able to do remote monitoring and installation of hardware and software, and that tends to be very popular with customers."
    • "I do not have any input as such. There can be a bit more expansive AI portfolio, but I have not worked on any AI projects with Dell, so I might not be up to date in knowledge."

    What is our primary use case?

    My experience and background is in the OEM space. I help customers take their IP to market on a reliable server, and Dell is normally the go-to option for that.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Reliability is the main benefit. From a services standpoint, on the OEM side, customers always like the ability to deploy in other countries with their own IP. They can use the Dell tier-one global service. Normally, the service appeals to the customers more than the platform.

    They are seen as a very power-efficient option, but I do not have any metrics to back it up.

    What is most valuable?

    Within that space, one of the most valuable features is the management. We are able to do remote monitoring and installation of hardware and software, and that tends to be very popular with customers. When customers are deploying their IP out into the field, being able to handle the management and servicing of platforms remotely to diagnose issues is always useful.

    What needs improvement?

    I do not have any input as such. There can be a bit more expansive AI portfolio, but I have not worked on any AI projects with Dell, so I might not be up to date in knowledge.

    There is probably room to expand the lower-end range.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with Dell PowerEdge servers throughout my career. It has been seven or eight years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    We do not have too many reports of the platform being unstable, but it is not something I would directly get involved with.

    How are customer service and support?

    I do not work directly with the hardware, so I cannot speak from a quality perspective and compare it to others, but Dell has some of the best services when looking at comparable server vendors. Their after-sales and pre-sales support is probably the best in the business. 

    My experience has always been positive. I would rate their customer service and support a nine out of ten. No one gets a ten.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    How was the initial setup?

    In the environments I work in, they are almost entirely on-prem, but I am not involved in the deployment.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    Pricing is very competitive. I have not been too involved in the licensing, but from a hardware perspective, I always find them to be competitive.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers an eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Distributor
    PeerSpot user
    Consultant at ACES BV
    Consultant
    Top 20
    Provides the flexibility and manageability necessary to streamline IT operations

    What is our primary use case?

    We use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for our office automation and our VDI needs. It offers a robust and reliable solution that can scale with our business requirements while providing the flexibility and manageability necessary to streamline IT operations.

    How has it helped my organization?

    As a customer, we find that these servers offer excellent durability and require minimal maintenance over time. They deliver strong performance, backed by reliable support services. The ability to control the servers remotely through the rack interface is particularly valuable, as it eliminates the need for onsite visits or physical access. All that's required is the password, providing full access to manage the servers efficiently without any additional hassle.

    The server energy consumption has shown significant improvement. Looking back about a decade, energy efficiency wasn't a major concern, leading to higher consumption levels. However, there's been a noticeable decrease in power consumption in recent years, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint. This reduction in power usage is largely attributed to the servers becoming more compact, requiring less power overall.

    Addressing the evolving demands of high-performance workloads requires a versatile range of server options. By conducting a thorough assessment of our requirements and performance expectations, we identify the most suitable model from the diverse array of choices available. This process ensures that we select a server that aligns closely with our specific needs. With such a broad spectrum of products to choose from, there is consistently a model that fits our requirements effectively.

    It significantly reduces unplanned production downtime. In our entirely virtualized environment, we can seamlessly place one server into maintenance mode, conduct complete hardware and software upgrades, and then transition to the next server. While the software solutions provided with virtualization products play a key role in this process, Dell servers also contribute to this uptime reliability. Remarkably, we have experienced no downtime whatsoever in the past five years.

    What is most valuable?

    The combination with the OpenManage, along with the ease of installation, configuration, and maintenance, is the most valuable aspect for me.

    What needs improvement?

    There have been certain environmental concerns, but they don't pose a significant issue for me as my focus is on maximizing performance, especially in providing a fast API environment for both my customers and myself. Larger customers might benefit from servers that strike a better balance between performance and environmental considerations.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been working with it for approximately twenty years.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    When comparing Dell's PowerEdge Rack Servers with competitors like HP's Proliant servers, as a Dell partner, we have experience with both brands and their respective services. In our assessment, Dell outperforms HP in several key areas, notably in terms of support and ease of maintenance. While HP offers OneView for server management, which some find easier to use than Dell's OpenManage, this might be a subjective opinion. Overall, Dell's PowerEdge servers excel in delivering superior support and streamlined maintenance processes compared to HP's Proliant servers.

    What about the implementation team?

    Deployment typically takes around one hour.

    What was our ROI?

    We have noticed a return on investment.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing is considered fair.

    What other advice do I have?

    Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Director at mindIT
    Real User
    Provides centralized management capabilities for large environments, reduces data processing times, and supports full automation
    Pros and Cons
    • "We haven't faced any problems with the power supplies. The consumption of power is robust. We still have slots for the new hard discs for availability and upgrading RAM, but the machine itself has been working nonstop for ten years."
    • "Different types of applications that are now trendy in the market, like AI, are still big topics that are not mapped correctly in the server and storage environment. Knowing those kinds of activities and definitions will help us more to position these kinds of servers for the client."

    What is our primary use case?

    We have implemented the PowerEdge servers in data centers for intelligence, governments, banks, hospitals, and for different use cases. It's a very robust product. 

    We're a Dell Gold partner, and we sell services for our clients. We've been working in this domain for a long time.

    We're using the seven series and the six series, and we previously used the eight series.

    Most of our implementations are completed on-premises.

    How has it helped my organization?

    PowerEdge's system management capabilities help increase staff productivity.

    It provides centralized management capabilities for large environments. In data centers, implementing multi-servers and managing different kinds of resources from a single portal definitely helps us a lot.

    PowerEdge reduces data processing times. The server must be set up well to do this. Knowing your application and how to set up a real configuration that will map your request, helps a lot in the PowerEdge environment.

    The enabling of full automation has affected the operations of our company.
    This is the target of every client and organization. The servers fully support automation. A combination of a company's strategy when implementing solutions and having applications that are synchronized with the hardware requirement will lead to a very good result. The hardware is the best part of it because it's so easy. The hardware supports big implementations. If the structure is right, the results will be very good.

    PowerEdge hasn't let us down in any situation. It's a very robust system.

    We haven't faced any kind of downtime with applications, especially in analytics, because we implement a PowerEdge cluster and support it with storage. The infrastructure is highly available based on the Dell server.

    From our implementations over the years and the new demand in technology, we haven't faced any kind of problems related to hardware based on PowerEdge. Everything is based on the application itself and the algorithm that the client uses through the servers. The problem isn't with the servers. The problem is with development.

    It's all about processing. If you use a different kind of application that needs a lot of resources, that is a key factor, especially in data collection, open-source data, and applying different analytics over that. That will need a lot of processing, and the hardware is a key factor in that part.

    Full automation is fully supported with PowerEdge. From the server perspective, it is fully compliant.

    What is most valuable?

    We haven't faced any problems with the power supplies. The consumption of power is robust. We still have slots for the new hard discs for availability and upgrading RAM, but the machine itself has been working nonstop for ten years.

    We haven't faced any problems with new demands for digital transformation and infrastructure development.

    The system is very updated. The machine itself is secure, but it depends on the client's environment and security strategy.

    PowerEdge has good value for energy consumption. We know this from other vendors that have the same data centers that we used to work with. It provides better performance in terms of power consumption. More power is saved with the use of a full cabinet of PowerEdge servers versus other solutions with multi-servers.

    We work in environments with systems in analytics, AI, Hadoop infrastructure, open source, and data gathering. We have those kinds of servers in our setups, and we never face problems when running the latest high-demand applications. We have an advantage in getting those results on PowerEdge servers rather than other servers.

    We had some applications in artificial intelligence. Some of the clients are starting to adopt those use cases. We didn't face any problems adopting those kinds of solutions, although it's still an open discussion.

    We are very familiar with the Dell portal, updates, supports, and assessments.

    The integrated Dell Remote Access Controller telemetry for monitoring the PowerEdge system data and providing analytics is very simple and accessible. For centralized management, it's a good value. These kinds of implementations in a big data center make a difference.

    We have CloudIQ in the machine learning systems that we are implementing for some of our clients, and those are based on Dell PowerEdge. We have those kinds of predictive analytics, and the hardware is doing great so far.

    Dell EMC is a combination of processing, storage, and power. We're in a really good position in terms of technology, trends, and the leaders in the market. 

    Dell has different types of servers that can fit different types of businesses.

    What needs improvement?

    Different types of applications that are now trendy in the market, like AI, are still big topics that are not mapped correctly in the server and storage environment. Knowing those kinds of activities and definitions will help us more to position these kinds of servers for the client.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have used this solution since 2005.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It's very stable. We have been using it for ten years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It's easy to scale.

    How are customer service and support?

    I would rate technical support an eight out of ten. We have never had a problem with technical support. There are a lot of different layers of support, and they're all very responsive. Dell is a very good company.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We used to work with HP most of the time, and we worked with servers from Cisco for a short time.

    Dell used to have different categories of servers that can fit different types of businesses. Sometimes we find that small servers have good specs over other competition, which is key for some new clients. For some new businesses, small servers can help achieve different targets for SMEs.

    How was the initial setup?

    The setup is very simple. When deploying PowerEdge, we used the automated server and OS deployment features. Our clients are very familiar with the setup. It's straightforward and very fast. If someone is knowledgeable in IT, they are familiar with PowerEdge.

    What about the implementation team?

    As a partner, most of the time we help clients. However, most of the clients are knowledgeable enough to implement the servers in a very simple way.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    PowerEdge is not a cheap product. It's a quality product, but there is always competition.

    If you want to buy a server, you need an operating system, and most of it is Microsoft. A bundled solution costs less than a separate operating system and hardware.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We cannot compare public cloud solutions with PowerEdge. This decision is related to the availability of features over the internet versus something that you own in your data center, your servers, and your manageability and power. Implementing those kinds of servers on-premises will cost more, but having a cloud solution with on-premises storage is more feasible and economically better.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

    I cannot recommend a solution other than PowerEdge. I'm very happy with it and proud that we have it implemented.

    I would definitely recommend this solution to those who are interested in using it. It's a robust, solid solution, and the hardware is designed carefully. The features and capabilities are built-in and it's a very supportive, long-term company. There are continuous efforts for development.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2004255 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Infrastructure and Operations Manager at a manufacturing company with 201-500 employees
    Real User
    Its reliability has made a big impact on our business, and it is very easy to install and manage
    Pros and Cons
    • "The ease of installation is valuable. The physical side of installation is quite intuitive and has got better by leaps and bounds. The hardware has always been fantastic, and it has always been reliable."
    • "Its pricing could be better."

    What is our primary use case?

    It's a standard server that we've got. It's a site server, so it'll hold up to a manufacturing server and a normal Active Directory server.

    We have Dell PowerEdge servers with pre-installed Microsoft Windows Server OS. For security, we mainly have antivirus. We've got web security monitoring tools. In addition, we've got firewalls. So, we've got a number of technologies that will hopefully protect us from ransomware.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Reliability is its main benefit. It works. I have not had many servers go down with hardware failure.

    Email and ERP systems are critical to our business. We've also got manufacturing applications running on it as well. Those are one of the biggest key areas for our business. For the manufacturing and everything else, it's highly integrated. We need a server that's always on.

    It has been good in terms of the impact on our IT infrastructure and the ability to handle the demand. It does what it says on the tin. We haven't had any issues with it. It's a server. It's one of those things that once it's in, it's in. We don't want it to do anything special because it's there for our infrastructure. It looks after our infrastructure, and it has been doing its job, and it has been working. Because we've not had any issues, its reliability has made a big impact on our business.

    What is most valuable?

    The ease of installation is valuable. The physical side of installation is quite intuitive and has got better by leaps and bounds. The hardware has always been fantastic, and it has always been reliable.

    The iDRAC is one of my favorite features of this solution. From an IT or management perspective, we are able to easily control the servers with it. It has been the biggest help.

    What needs improvement?

    Its pricing could be better. In terms of features, I've got nothing to improve.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have about 25 years of experience with the product.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Its stability is very good. Its performance has always gone up in leaps and bounds. They've always been ahead of the curve, and we've always got the best technology from Dell.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Its scalability is very good.

    How are customer service and support?

    Their support is good. I would rate them a 10 out of 10.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I previously used an HP solution. I switched because of my experience with peer reviews for Dell products. Ever since we made the change to Dell servers, we've not gone back. There is the ease of use of racking and the ease of use of remote management. There is reliability and simplification of the server as well. They've not overcomplicated it. Those are the main selling points for Dell servers in comparison to HP.

    How was the initial setup?

    Its initial setup was very straightforward. It took a day. We have a certain process that we follow. We've had a server setup from a couple of years ago, and we follow that process. It's just making sure that all the relevant information is in.

    What was our ROI?

    It's very difficult to measure, but it should be good. We've made an initial investment in the capital costs for the server purchase, and if we get good five years of use out of it, then we've got good returns for it.

    We could realize its benefits straightaway after the deployment.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    They seem to have become more expensive. I've not done a comparison with other vendors recently. If the price increases more, we would need to do a comparison next year just to make sure that we are benchmarking our server purchases correctly.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We did consider public cloud servers before choosing PowerEdge Rack Servers, but it wasn't a choice. We are in a hybrid environment. We do have a number of servers internally, but then we have public cloud servers as well. Overall, the public cloud is cheaper because I don't require internal expertise and internal maintenance for the physical environment, which is cost-saving. The only reason for getting PowerEdge internally was to meet the demand for great speed for our manufacturing services. Therefore, we have to have something internal.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would definitely recommend it. You just have to install it, and that's it. It works.

    I would rate it a 10 out of 10.

    Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor. The reviewer's company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: February 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.