Dell seeks to reassure customers after $24bn private deal

Dell founder and chief executive Michael Dell has sought to quell customers concerns after the firm announced plans to become a private company again in a deal worth $24bn.

Since Dell announced the deal, which includes a $2bn loan from Microsoft, concerns have been floated over how the move would affect customers, with rival HP using it as an opportunity to show the seeds of doubt about the firm's prospects.

However, in an open letter Dell said the move to go private would see it better placed to deliver on its promises to customers.

"We believe that our proposed new ownership will provide long-term support to help Dell innovate, invest for growth and accelerate our transformation strategy," he said.

"We'll have the flexibility to continue organic and inorganic investment and drive industry-leading innovation."

He went on to reiterate the firm's intentions to focus on several key enterprises areas in the future.

"Secure, easy to manage, end-to-end solutions from the cloud to the datacentre to devices remain at the core of our value proposition to you," he said.

"I am confident we are making the right decisions to position Dell, our customers and employees for long-term success. There is much more we can accomplish together."

The deal to go private is designed to give the firm a chance to rebuild and refocus its position in the market without the pressures of quarterly results and appeasing shareholders. The firm has suffered like other PC vendors in the shifting device market, caused by the huge popularity of Android and Apple tablets.