DellTM Services Donates $6.5 Million in Technology and Services to the New Perot Museum of Nature and Science

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell Services is donating $6.5 million in technology and services to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to power its IT operations and help support its goal to advance youth education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“Dell Services has been an extended part of our team through the planning and development of this Museum. The technologies and the staff that Dell has provided have been instrumental in creating an experience where each exhibit is interactive, educational and fun.”

The donation includes two categories of investment. The initial investment represents $3.5 million of Dell products and services, along with initial technology implementation for the museum build-out. The subsequent investment of $3 million represents three years of outsourced technology operations, support services and data center hosting.

“Technology is not just in the background at the Perot Museum, it is a central part of our mission and the experience,” said Nicole G. Small, The Eugene McDermott CEO of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. “Dell Services has been an extended part of our team through the planning and development of this Museum. The technologies and the staff that Dell has provided have been instrumental in creating an experience where each exhibit is interactive, educational and fun.”

Dell’s initial investment includes hardware and software from multiple Dell product lines, including PowerEdge, PowerConnect, Compellent, Force 10, KACE, OptiPlex and Latitude. Hundreds of Dell computers, monitors, servers and other equipment help power the Perot Museum, from the cutting-edge, hands-on displays in the halls to the retail store and café, administrative offices and computerized building operations.

The three-year technology outsource includes on-site staff from Dell Services who will integrate daily with Perot Museum staff to ensure seamless and efficient operation of the high-tech exhibit halls and learning labs.

“STEM education is crucial to our nation’s youth and our company’s future, and this museum is a groundbreaking example of innovation in education and technology,” said Steve Schuckenbrock, president, Dell Services. “Dell Services is honored to power the museum’s IT and be a part of such an important initiative.”

Located adjacent to downtown Dallas, the $185 million, 180,000-square-foot facility will provide youth, adults and families the opportunity to explore new ideas through tangible, galvanic exhibits, where they'll learn about everything from dinosaurs to DNA. Dell’s work with the Perot Museum exemplifies the company’s strategy of providing organizations with modernized, end-to-end solutions that help maximize their existing IT investments.

Small adds that “Dell’s stunning gift of both equipment and expertise will also punch up our efforts to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM. We’re absolutely thrilled that the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will be powered by Dell.”

The Perot Museum, the mission of which is to “inspire minds through nature and science,” is expected to serve millions of children and adults over the next decade. Slated to open early January 2013, the Perot Museum was designed by 2005 Pritzker Prize Laureate Thom Mayne.

About Dell Services

Dell Services provides people, processes and technology to help create, improve or support an efficient IT organization. Its 44,000 global team members provide consulting, infrastructure, support, applications and business processes to help organizations operate their IT more efficiently, proactively and securely. Headquartered in Plano, TX, Dell Services is a critical component to the end-to-end solutions and offerings provided by Dell, Inc.

About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, is a nonprofit educational organization accredited by the American Museum Association. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. In addition to its Fair Park campus, a $185-million new museum, designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, is currently under construction on a 4.7-acre site at the corner of Field Street and Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Victory Park near downtown Dallas. Slated to open in January 2013, the Perot Museum is named in honor of Margot and Ross Perot, the result of a $50-million gift announced in May 2008 by their five adult children. To learn more about the Perot Museum, please visit perotmuseum.org.

Dell, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, Compellent, Force 10, KACE, OptiPlex and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

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