Can't Build Your Own Systems? Let DirectCM Do It

Reselling systems made by large vendors or big suppliers can often cut into a solution provider’s profits or the authorization requirements may be very difficult to fulfill.

As a result, more solution providers would like to offer their own custom-built systems yet don't have the staff, space or technical resources to do so. This is where the DirectCM division of MPC Computers can help.

MPC's 340,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility has surplus capacity which it uses to build custom systems for solution providers.

Systems can be supplied as barebones units that solution providers can finish themselves or they can be ordered as complete turnkey systems to be drop-shipped wherever needed. DirectCM can even install operating systems and other software if needed.

DirectCM provides whatever assembly services are needed. Because of its parent company’s huge volume output, and over 15 years of experience in dealing with component suppliers and supply chain management, DirectCM enables small IT companies to offer custom-branded systems that can easily compete with mainstream units while eliminating the burden of product development and technology transitions.Solution providers are then free to focus on more profitable value-add services. Note that DirectCM offers desktops, notebooks, servers, components and peripherals, and it can provide guidance as to which components are best suited for particular applications.

Partnering with DirectCM is easy. Applicants must sign up at DirectCM's Web site and must submit a credit application, electronic commerce agreement and resale tax-exemption form. Systems offered include a one-year warranty; a three-year warranty also is available at a slightly higher cost. A dedicated technical support team is available 24x7, 365 days a year.

Margins vary according to individual VAR agreement. Typically there's a five-day lead time.

Test Center engineers received a sample DCM1100i picoBTX desktop system, which is based on an Intel motherboard with a 945G Express chipset and integrated Gigabit Ethernet, ATA-100 and SATA-300 drive controllers, graphics and audio. Four DIMM sockets support up to 4 Gbytes of memory.

One x16 PCI Express expansion slot is available. The motherboard incorporates Intel Active Management Technology, which offers out-of-band system management, remote troubleshooting and recovery, proactive alerting, tamper-resistant agents, remote hardware and software tracking and more.The DCM1100i chassis measures 11.5 inches X 12.6 inches X 3.4 inches and features two external slimline bays—a 5.25 inch and a 3.5-inch and one internal 3.5-inch bay for a hard drive.

Ports include eight USB 2.0 (two front, six rear), one FireWire, one parallel, one serial and two PS/2. For $229, solution providers get the chassis with the motherboard, a 220-watt power supply, cables and connectors installed.

A CPU, memory, hard drive and optical drive must then be added, either by the solution provider or by DirectCM. The chassis' hood has a locking latch in the rear; it can be easily removed and reattached. The tiny chassis is cramped but designed for for easy assembly and servicing. The chassis comes in black, which is easy to match with peripherals.

The sample unit was equipped with a 3 GHz Pentium D processor, 1 Gbyte of memory and Windows XP Pro. It tested for performance using PassMark's PerformanceTest software, which can be used for free by anyone for up to 30 days.

The system scored 439.0, which is as fast some dual-core servers recently tested. When properly equipped, the DCM1100i will easily do battle with the competition.0