# Dell Urges Earlier AI Hardware Planning

Dell Technologies is advising AI hardware buyers to engage suppliers earlier and share demand forecasts as shortages affect memory, CPUs, drives, optical components, cooling, and power systems. Dell reported a **$95 billion AI backlog** at the end of fiscal Q2 2027, indicating strong demand and potential delivery risks. Government procurement teams and contractors planning AI deployments may need longer lead times and closer coordination between hardware availability and implementation schedules.

- Buyers can reduce delivery uncertainty by providing Dell with earlier, more detailed demand forecasts, as the company recommends.
- Procurement teams should account for potential constraints across multiple hardware and facility-support components—not only processors—when sequencing AI infrastructure purchases and deployments.
- Contractors supporting government AI programs may benefit from aligning proposed delivery schedules with supplier availability and identifying component dependencies early.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Vendors
- Dell Technologies (AI hardware supplier)

### Key Quotes
> I think it is a period of turbulence. I think people are waking up to say we need to plan longer-term horizons.
> — David Schmoock, Senior Vice President of Global Revenue Operations at Dell Technologies

### Sources
- [Dell Urges Earlier AI Hardware Planning Amid Component Shortages | TokenPost](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/technology/37621) - www.tokenpost.com