TECHNOLOGY - Oct. 7, 1992

Dell Offers One-Stop Shopping by Phone: Dell Computer Corp., a pioneer in the sale of personal computers via direct mail, made a big push into the software distribution business with a bold new sales program that offers one-stop shopping by phone. The Austin, Tex., company introduced a full range of PC software and peripheral products in a package called DellWare in a bid to compete against computer retail outlets. DellWare includes more than 650 products from leading vendors that can be ordered through a toll-free phone number for delivery the next business day. Dell stock jumped $1.875, or more than 6%, to $29.25 a share on the NASDAQ market after the announcement. Dell said prices will be comparable to those at computer stores. Customers can also call a toll-free Dell number to get 24-hour support service for 120 software products.