What is our primary use case?
We often use Dell PowerEdge R-Series in virtualization, which means we install Hyper-V clusters on them. Sometimes we also use them standalone if it's just a small domain controller or SQL server, so there is a wide variety of areas where Dell PowerEdge R-Series are used, but virtualization is the most common application.
When customers want to set up fail-safe infrastructures with Dell PowerEdge R-Series, we usually use two or three at once, which may also be located in different parts of the building and protected in terms of fire protection. However, any other server would do the same.
What is most valuable?
I see reliability as the most valuable function with Dell PowerEdge R-Series because they are truly durable. Our virtualization projects run for at least five years before they are replaced. There are very few defects and the support from Dell is excellent, which is one of the most important things about Dell since the support works great.
Dell PowerEdge R-Series has improved our company through its reliability and scalability. These servers can be easily expanded upwards after two or three years and can grow with the company.
Generally, the scalability of Dell PowerEdge R-Series is outstanding. There is everything from very small to very large models, so we can select the model that our company needs. We can size exactly the right model based on our customer's budget and requirements.
What needs improvement?
Not much distinguishes Dell PowerEdge R-Series from other servers.
Something can always go wrong somewhere with Dell PowerEdge R-Series, so there will never be a 100% perfect product; product defects are completely normal.
Support could be escalated upwards a bit faster for Dell PowerEdge R-Series. It stays too long at the lower support levels before it is passed on to real specialists. If our partner opens a call for Dell PowerEdge R-Series, they have already checked a lot, and we could actually start at a higher support level more quickly.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Dell PowerEdge R-Series for four to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would have to think about it longer to see if there were any real breakdowns, but the servers just run. Either they have an issue right from the start that has to be fixed in the firmware, but once they are running, a Dell PowerEdge R-Series server that runs for a year usually runs for five years as well.
This has happened with Dell PowerEdge R-Series where we experienced some hardware issues right from the start, where something did not fit or firmware versions were incompatible, but then that is a delivery error that gets corrected and after that the machine runs.
Crashes and outages always happen, but whether the hardware of Dell PowerEdge R-Series is responsible or Windows running on it needs to be determined. In case of defects, we have very good support that quickly ensures the machine runs again.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We do not have to buy a new server just because our company has grown. Usually in the existing chassis of Dell PowerEdge R-Series, there is still room to retrofit things.
Even if it is just new disk space or more RAM for Dell PowerEdge R-Series, the CPUs are usually oversized anyway and have more performance than the company needs, so we can get along very well, even with fast-growing companies.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate Dell support for Dell PowerEdge R-Series around nine. There is always room for improvement.
The support for Dell PowerEdge R-Series is excellent. We always have the comparison with other manufacturers. There is no longer the classic German support you might prefer, but most of the time it is just a hard drive that is broken or a firmware that needs to be updated. These are quite simple support cases in 99% of all cases. Very rarely do we have really difficult support where it really goes into the details and real expertise is required on the other side.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
They all just cook with water, whether we have Dell or HP. We used to be an HP partner, but in the storage area Dell made the big difference, and that is why the servers are now also from Dell.
We used HP earlier, which was our standard in-house supplier, but through the storage track we switched completely to Dell. Gradually, the HP logo has disappeared everywhere in our customers' racks and now they all have Dell logos on the servers.
How was the initial setup?
I was involved in the deployment and initial setup of Dell PowerEdge R-Series.
What about the implementation team?
I am involved in working with Dell PowerEdge R-Series, so we select them and we also install them for customers.
What was our ROI?
We do not do a big evaluation, but I think Dell PowerEdge R-Series contributes to customer retention and customer growth, so it helps us in our general business. If our customer is using Dell and is satisfied with the servers, then they automatically take other products from us as well.
I think there is a return on investment with Dell PowerEdge R-Series; we just cannot really measure it very well, but we definitely perceive it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It can always be cheaper, but at some point we have to keep our feet on the ground. Customers always want to pay less, but at some point it just costs a certain amount and Dell also has to pay its employees, so those are fair prices for Dell PowerEdge R-Series.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We did not compare any other servers before adding Dell PowerEdge R-Series.
What other advice do I have?
Dell PowerEdge R-Series are rack servers that are part of the R-Series of Dell PowerEdge R-Series product line.
I just heard that from February on some automation from Dell is coming for Dell PowerEdge R-Series so that the servers install everything automatically via a Dell tool. Something is coming, something is in the pipeline for Dell PowerEdge R-Series.
Everything is great about Dell PowerEdge R-Series in terms of price-performance ratio. We can talk to Dell about anything and can submit project requests, and basically with Dell as a partner we can get a project through the door. Unless our customer has very difficult expectations regarding the price, then at some point we have to end the negotiation if they are not willing to pay what they want to have, and then they should go elsewhere.
We are not that far yet with metrics for Dell PowerEdge R-Series. The Dell servers just came along with the storage; we and our customers were very satisfied with the storage, so we also added the servers. In servers the manufacturers are all quite interchangeable. No one stands out from the other, but in the storage and backup area, that is where we make the difference and where we can really score and just take the servers along with it.
I have expanded Dell PowerEdge R-Series in the past, and it worked well. I have bought new servers or just expanded. Everything is good with Dell PowerEdge R-Series. There is very good stability and reliability of Dell PowerEdge R-Series with no complaints.
I would rate Dell PowerEdge R-Series as a nine for overall product rating. I think that is good. There is always room for improvement, so we will leave one point open for Dell PowerEdge R-Series. We are satisfied with Dell PowerEdge R-Series and definitely happy to be surprised by Dell in the future. Our overall review rating for this product is 9.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller