Podcast Summary: Reshaping Workflows with Dell Pro Precision and NVIDIA RTX PRO GPUs

Episode: How Dell & ISVs Guarantee Workflow Reliability

Host: Logan Lawler
Guest: Janine Thimmel, Global Lead for Dell Pro Max ISV Certification Program
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the critical role of ISV (Independent Software Vendor) system-level certifications for Dell’s workstation portfolio, particularly the Dell Pro Max line with NVIDIA RTX Pro GPUs. Host Logan Lawler and guest Janine Thimmel demystify what ISV certification means, why it matters, and how it ensures reliable, high-performance workflows for professionals working with industry-specific, GPU-accelerated software.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Is a System-Level Certification?

• Definition: Dell’s system-level certification is a rigorous process where key third-party software vendors test and approve specific workstation hardware and configuration to ensure performance and reliability.
• Certifications are exclusive to workstations as the “pinnacle of performance within the commercial PC category.” [(02:27)].
• Quote:

  “At a high level, it is a process that inspires confidence that your PC will work reliably and perform well with your ISV application.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [02:27]

Why Are Certifications Important?

• Critical for professionals in fields like engineering, architecture, media, healthcare, and oil & gas, where software often determines hardware purchases.

• Prevents compatibility and performance issues with specialized, expensive software.

• Certifications reassure buyers that mission-critical applications will work as expected out of the box.

• Quote:

  “The software is really driving the purchase… Having a system that knowing which GPU and which config and which driver, which OS will actually work is kind of paramount.”
  – Logan Lawler, [14:32]

The Certification Process: How Does It Work?

• Dell collaborates with ISVs early in the hardware dev cycle, providing pre-release systems for testing new technologies (GPUs, CPUs, drivers, OS).

• Over 50 ISV partners; close collaboration with around 35.

• ISVs test their applications rigorously on actual Dell hardware.

• In some cases, Dell performs tests based on detailed scripts provided by the ISVs.

• Early issue discovery and rapid resolution due to deep collaboration, including with partners like NVIDIA and Microsoft.

• Quote:

  “We work with ISVs early in the development process… to understand how they work, what parameters of their software might need to be adjusted to work optimally with those GPUs.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [08:34]

Why System-Level Certification is Different

• Certification is not just a checklist—it considers the entire system configuration (form factor, GPU, driver, OS) and its real-world constraints.

• Example: You can't install a high-end GPU in a chassis not designed for it, even if the “parts” are theoretically compatible.

• Memorable Analogy:

  “It’s like putting a Ferrari engine into… a 1992 Ford Taurus. It’s just not going to work.”
  – Logan Lawler, [06:38]

Key Benefits of Dell’s System-Level ISV Certification

• Performance Assurance: Early hands-on ISV validation
• Early Issue Discovery: Problems can be fixed before products reach customers
• Accelerated Support: Strong relationships with ISVs and hardware partners enable quick resolution of customer issues
• Documented Drivers: Certified drivers are specified for each configuration, streamlining deployment
• Hours of Testing: Extensive, mission-critical validation
• Ongoing Collaboration: Dell provides continued professional support to ISVs for escalated cases or unique workflows

Industries & ISV Partners

• Main Verticals:

  • AEC/O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction/Operations)
  • Manufacturing/Product Design
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Science/Finance
  • Healthcare/Life Sciences

• Notable ISV Partners:

  • AECO/Manufacturing: Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes (SolidWorks), Siemens, Ansys, Altair, PTC, Bentley, Hexagon
  • Media & Entertainment: Blackmagic Design, Avid, Autodesk Media, AJA, ADO
  • Science/Finance: Halliburton, Schlumberger, S&P Global
  • Healthcare: Barco, EIZO

• Quote:

  “Within those categories… some of the names that I’m sure you know… Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, Ansys, Altair, PTC, Bentley, Hexagon…”
  – Janine Thimmel, [15:44]

The Scale of Dell's Certification Program

• Over 80,000 active certifications in the past ~3.5 years
• 10,000–20,000 certifications annually, depending on new GPU/PC launches
• Typical turnaround: 30–60 days post-launch for top ISVs
• Certification database is publicly searchable ([22:34])

Using the Certification Search Tool

• Easy, single-parameter search with additional filter options (ISV, GPU, OS, device model)

• The database shows certified driver, application name/version, operating system, and hardware model.

• How-to-Use Quote:

  “This is kind of the source of truth for certification status… the certified driver, the application name and version, the operating system, and our model of workstation and the GPU…”
  – Janine Thimmel, [22:34]

Hardware Refresh Cycles: Blackwell Is Here

• Discussion of NVIDIA’s launch of the RTX Pro Blackwell GPU family and their integration in Dell’s latest workstations, including notable upgrades in VRAM and power (e.g., 48 GB to 96 GB).
• Advice: If you’re considering a workstation upgrade, now is “about the right time” to look at Blackwell, watching for the relevant certifications as they come online.

Rapid Fire Q&A Highlights

Which Industries are Most Focused on Certifications?

• Engineering and Oil & Gas lead in “must-have” requirements
• Urgency: "Within two weeks of a launch… I’m getting really urgent calls…to try to get to me on when will we have that certification."
  – Janine Thimmel, [27:41]

Which ISVs are Most Rigorous?

• Some ISVs have 8-10 week test cycles with massive test logs—these partners often uncover critical issues before customers do.
• “Those ISVs that test most rigorously… absolutely find issues and they’ll reach out and say ‘we’re not going to be able to certify this, something’s here’.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [28:47]

What Does Certification Mean for Performance Choices?

• ISVs often “derive” certification: they test extreme cases and infer that intermediate models are also supported.
• “If they test the lowest GPU in the stack… they feel that they can derive in the middle…”
  – Janine Thimmel, [31:36]
• Thus, a device may be “certified” for an application, but users should match hardware level to actual workload—"just because it’s certified on a lower GPU doesn’t mean it will deliver optimal performance for your use case."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A certification… inspires confidence that your PC will work reliably and perform well with your ISV application.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [02:27]

• “It’s like putting a Ferrari engine into… a 1992 Ford Taurus. It’s just not going to work.”
  – Logan Lawler, [06:38]

• “You can feel comfortable that these hours of testing… assures that you will have reliable performance… when you use it with your applications.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [12:24]

• “So by having an ISV certification program, especially a system level one, we’re basically saying that we recognize that your work is the most important thing and we want to make sure we support it well.”
  – Janine Thimmel, [13:40]

• ISV certifications are “the base that enable kind of everything.”
  – Logan Lawler, [35:34]

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:27 – What is a system-level certification?
• 05:09 – How is certified software different?
• 08:34 – Benefits & process of system-level certification
• 14:32 – Why certification matters for buyers
• 15:44 – Industry verticals & major ISV partners
• 19:20 – The scale of the Dell certification program
• 22:34 – Dell’s searchable public certification tool
• 24:34 – Certification cycles with hardware, GPU, OS launches
• 27:41 – Industries with the most rigorous certification demands
• 28:47 – ISVs with the most thorough certification processes
• 31:36 – “Derivation” and what certification really means for performance
• 34:28 – Janine’s 1-minute episode takeaway

Conclusion: Takeaways & Where to Learn More

“ISV system-level certifications from Dell specific to the workstation category are powerful enablers of assurance and peace of mind that your adopted mission-critical ISV applications will work well with the Dell workstation.”
— Janine Thimmel, [34:28]

For listeners:

• Use Dell’s ISV certification portal to ensure your workstation configuration is validated for your chosen applications.
• Match your hardware to your application needs—certification guarantees compatibility, but optimal performance may require higher-end hardware.
• For industry professionals deploying mission-critical software, ISV certification should be a baseline requirement.

Find Janine Thimmel:

• Email: janine.thimmel@dell.com
• LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile - Janine Thimmel] (as mentioned at [35:17])

Dell ISV Certification Site:

• www.dell.com/proproimaxisvcertification (see show notes for live link)

Next Steps:

• If you’re a buyer or IT lead in a mission-critical field, bookmark Dell’s ISV certification portal and consult it as part of every hardware evaluation.
• Consider timing your workstation upgrades with major GPU/OS launches—but wait for ISV certifications to confirm compatibility.

Host’s Sign-Off:

“Keep your workflows running locally on Dell Pro Max and NVIDIA RTX GPUs and we’ll see you on the next one.”
– Logan Lawler, [36:11]