If you work at Dell, prepare for big changes in 2026.
Jeff Clark, Dell’s chief operating officer and vice chairman, said in a memo to employees Tuesday seen by Business Insider that the company plans to roll out standardized processes across its operations and launch a single enterprise platform on May 3.
In a memo, Clark said the changes represent the “biggest transformation in the company’s history.”
This modernization push, which the company calls the One Dell Way, “provides the foundation to connect data, break down silos, streamline software applications, and function as one connected enterprise,” Clarke said.
It will replace Dell’s existing sprawl of applications, servers and databases, enabling “seamless data flow, fewer repetitive tasks, faster decision-making and more time to make real impact,” Clark said.
The vice chairman, who recently took on a more active role in Dell’s day-to-day operations, said the change was a key enabler of Dell’s modernization.
Clark said in the memo that over the years the company has built multiple variations of tools used for basic processes such as development and sales.
“That just won’t work in an AI-driven world. We need a simplified, standardized and automated way to be competitive and better serve our customers,” Clark said.
Simplifying the underlying infrastructure is a key part of unlocking the future potential of AI. No matter how much companies invest in fancy AI tools, they won’t be able to achieve speed or scale if the data behind them remains fragmented.
The One Dell Way “is fundamental to success in an AI-driven world,” Clarke said.
“One Dell Way is a transformation initiative aimed at simplifying processes, standardizing systems and leveraging automation to create a more connected and efficient organization,” a company spokesperson told Business Insider.
“Please get ready.”
Clarke’s memo said the new OS will not be a gradual transition, but rather will begin on May 3 with a single crossover date for Dell’s PC business, known as the CSG division, as well as finance, supply chain, marketing, sales, revenue operations, services and human resources operations.
Clark said Dell’s ISG division, which handles cloud products, data servers and other AI infrastructure, will follow in August.
The vice chairman told employees to “prepare” for the changes.
Mr Clark said training was “critically important” and should be a priority when training begins on February 3.
Jeff Clark, Dell’s chief operating officer, is spearheading that change. Kevork Jansezian/Getty Images
Business Insider previously reported that Dell was running a secret, multi-year internal project codenamed “Maverick” and that staff had signed NDAs to work on it. It was originally scheduled to be released to some of the company’s customers in February 2026, but it was postponed to May.
Dell’s current modernization efforts began 42 years after Michael Dell founded the company as a freshman at the University of Texas.
Dell has since expanded into AI and cloud infrastructure, gone private, returned to the public markets, and completed the second-largest technology merger in history, acquiring EMC for $67 billion in 2016. But as Clark said in his memo, the upcoming changes represent Dell’s biggest transformation yet.
The full memo from Mr. Clarke to Dell employees is below.
team,
Our industry is moving faster than ever, and over the past two years, we’ve modernized how we work by simplifying and standardizing processes, eliminating inefficiencies, and improving tools and applications to help us move faster. it is
We are now taking the next big step in this effort. Deploying standardized processes and an enterprise platform provides the foundation to connect data, break down silos, streamline software applications, and function as one connected enterprise.
Starting May 3, we will begin working in this new way across CSG, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, RevOps, Service, and HR operations. ISG will follow in August.
Over the years, our strong functional orientation has meant building different variations on our basic processes: multiple development methods, multiple marketing methods, multiple sales methods, and multiple service methods.
That doesn’t work in an AI-driven world. You need a simplified, standardized, and automated way to be competitive and better serve your customers.
This is achieved by considering functions first and operating them. Company-first principle. In some cases, you may end up making a choice that is not optimal for a particular function, but it will speed up decision-making and improve overall quality for your company. That’s the tradeoff, and it’s the right one. We optimize for Dell, not individual features.
what is changing
Standardized processes and enterprise platforms eliminate the need to stick to workarounds and old ways of working. In return, you get seamless data flow, fewer repetitive tasks, faster decision-making, and more time to do work that has real impact.
This is a comprehensive change, not a gradual transition. Once we start operating in a new way on May 3rd, there’s no going back.
The degree of change will vary by team and role. Some people may experience significant changes in the way they work on a daily basis. In other cases, changes will be minimal. But we all need to understand what’s going on and support each other to get through it.
If your work spans both CSG and ISG, you will be working with new processes and applications in CSG and legacy systems in ISG until August. Learn more in training.
What this requires
Learning a new system or a new way of working isn’t easy, especially when you’re already moving quickly. Here’s a request for you:
- Stay curious and keep an open mind when learning new ways of working.
- Confuse yourself. Break out of your old ways.
- Embrace standardization. It makes us faster and better.
- Act with a sense of speed. In the age of AI, speed is more important than ever.
get ready
Training is very important. Without exception, new systems cannot operate without it. Training will begin on February 3rd and you will receive an email with your personal information on that day. Make it a priority.
This is the biggest transformation in our company’s history. We know there are challenges, and that’s okay. We are here to support you and get through this together. Our leaders will keep you updated on training and launch.
This is the foundation for success in an AI-driven world, the One Dell Way. That’s how we get there. As one company, we use one process to focus on what matters most.
Let’s lean in, learn, and build a better company together.
jeff
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