Initial product quality

One of Dell's category wins was in the initial product quality category. With a 6.67 rating, it nudged out HP (6.60), while IBM ranked third (with a score of 6.50). Very few scores higher than a 7.00 were given to any of the category statements, but Dell had a 7.17 for "This product was installed without defects." Compellent also received a very high 7.00 for that statement but, once again, its category average was pulled down by a relatively weak 5.75 score for "This product requires very little vendor intervention."

Apparently, the combination of Dell and EqualLogic has also been good for product quality. "Their quality assurance is still one of the best processes they have out there," says Navicure's Wilkins. "They just don't ship out a defective product."

HP's second-place finish in the initial product quality category was helped by a 6.74 for the statement "This pro...

The initial product quality category includes a key statement regarding the system's value: "This product offers good value for the money." Compellent was rated most highly in this regard with a 6.68. HP was second with a 6.59, followed closely by IBM with a 6.55. Dell was in the middle of the overall pack for this statement with a 6.44 rating.

While Hitachi ranked only sixth in the category, its score was still just 0.24 points less than leader Dell. "Smooth, smooth" is how Pite Duncan's Colona describes the installation of his Hitachi Data Systems' AMS200. "Hitachi includes installation -- they won't sell it to you if they don't install it. It's a warranty issue," he says.

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