The phones are ringing at Dell Computer's new Ottawa call centre in Kanata.

The centre offers customer and technical support to Dell users from across North America.

There are currently about 100 people taking calls and 50 support staff, along with another 100 who are in training and will be taking up positions in about three weeks, according to site leader Mike Jaillet. Dell's recruiters found a high level of technical skills among local applicants, as well as the customer focus they were looking for.

Employees at the centre received intensive classroom instruction, as well as six weeks of on-the-job training at Dell's customer contact centre in Edmonton.

Mr. Jaillet, who has been through several site set-ups and openings, says the Ottawa opening was the best yet.

The centre will become fully operational within months, as Dell hires and trains an additional 250 technical and customer service agents. Another job fair is planned for March 9. Mr. Jaillet says once the head count reaches 500, Dell will then look at a possible expansion.

In addition to answering regular technical and customer support queries, the Ottawa centre is offering what the company calls "Dell on Call," a service that helps customers with issues such as spyware and virus removal that are beyond the normal hardware warranty.