Dell, HP, IBM and Microsoft have not traditionally been direct competitors. However, I'm seeing a shift and this shift will affect your business. The shift is slow right now, but will gain traction.

Dell and HP - are clearly selling in the same competitive space for computers and printers. IBM and Microsoft are competing directly on software solutions to business. How are the four related?

Well Dell and HP are buying up more service companies and selling new, more service oriented offerings from these acquisitions. HP's Logoworks division, their HPUpline offering and other solutions go beyond their core "PC" services and I expect this to grow into even more "beyond the PC" offerings.

Dell's focus right now is on more traditional PC support solutions - such as managing computers. However, I can't see why they would not be looking into buying and/or closely partnering with companies that can help them sell or cross market Dell's traditional PC based technology offerings into new areas such as web development, marketing and beyond.

IBM and Microsoft are arch rivals as both sell software that businesses need for communication - email, online collaboration, ecommerce and so much more.