Dell, the computer company based in Round Rock, TX, has launched Small Business 360. It is designed as an online resource for small businesses, and provides access to products and services, industry information and success stories.

The site is primarily geared for small companies with little or no IT support. Retail is among the initial industries served, in addition to accounting and finance, architecture and construction, law and real estate.

At the website, www.dell.com/sb360, small businesses can find technology and business advice from Dell and partnering experts. There are links to online resources and tutorials, and users can view video customer case studies and register for webcasts.

They can also access technology information that is specifically geared to their industry and to community forums, where they can pose questions to each other, share technology challenges and discuss best practices.

"With a record 670,000 new businesses started in 2005, small business clearly drives our nation's economy," says Frank Muehleman, vice president and general manager of Dell Small Business. "Technology can help these businesses succeed, and we want them to view Dell as their trusted advisor, whether they are ready to buy today, tomorrow or six months from now."

"Small businesses want solutions that can give them maximum business benefit with minimum technical pain and financial risk, and they're turning to the web to educate themselves before they buy," says Laurie McCabe, vice president of SMB Insights & Business Solutions for AMI-Partners. "According to our 2006-2007 U.S. Small Business Overview study, 78 percent of small businesses turn to the internet for information on products and services related to IT." According to the survey, 79 percent first turn to fellow associates for information.

To complement Small Business 360, Michael Dell unveiled Studio Dell during the January Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. Studio Dell is a new digital media network that shares informative videos on a broad range of technology topics and user experiences. This website, www.dell.com/studiodell, targets the full spectrum of Dell customers with tailored content on three channels: Home, Small Business and IT Pro.

For more information, visit www.dell.com/sb360 and www.dell.com/studiodell.