After years of listening to its reps bemoan their firm’s technical deficiencies, A.G. Edwards is beginning to respond with action.
To wit, the firm has struck an outsourcing deal with Dell, under which the computer firm will provide server systems, desktop computers and on-site support to the firm’s reps.
The deal comes on the heels of Edwards’ announcement of a deal with research firm Morningstar, which is providing statistics and research for rep-desktop systems.
The moves to upgrade the frontline systems have not gone unnoticed by the firm’s rank-and-file.
“They’re definitely making real moves to make things better,” one rep says.
Under the Dell deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, the computer firm will provide 700 servers and 14,000 Dell OptiPlex PCs to run Edwards’ rep-desktop system, ClientOne. This system was retooled last year to the relief of many reps.
Representatives at Dell say the company will provide support, installation and all “cabling activities” for Edwards.