Dell grabs IT services giant Perot Systems

Acquired firm will operate as Dell's services arm following completion of $3.9bn deal

The Perot Systems acquisition is set to close in Dell’s November-January quarter

Dell has made an aggressive lunge for the IT services space after reaching a definitive agreement to buy Perot Systems.

In a move that mirrors HP’s recent acquisition of EDS, Dell is laying down $3.9bn for the New York-listed outfit, which specialises in applications, technology, infrastructure, business processes and consulting services.

The acquisition is set to close in Dell’s November-January quarter after which Perot Systems will operate as the hardware giant’s services arm.

Over the past four quarters, Dell and Perot Systems raked in a combined $16bn in enterprise-hardware and IT-services revenue, with about $8bn from ‘enhanced services and support’.

Dell arch-rival HP sent shockwaves through the channel last May when it scooped up IT services giant EDS for $13.9bn.

Unlike EDS, Perot Systems - which was founded by former US presidential candidate Ross Perot - has limited presence in the UK and Europe, although the move is still likely to raise partner eyebrows.