Dell acquires Perot Systems for $3.9 billion

Dell is set to acquire IT services company Perot Systems for approximately $3.9 billion (2.39 billion).

The announcement, made yesterday, will see Perot become Dell's services unit, led by current chief executive Peter Altabef.

The cash deal of $30 per share means Dell is paying a 68 per cent premium on the company's stock price at close of play Friday.

Michael Dell, chairman of the board and Dell's chief executive, said in a statement: "This significantly expands Dell's enterprise-solutions capabilities and makes Perot Systems' strengths available to even more customers around the world."

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He added: "There will be efficiencies from combining the companies, but the acquisition makes such great sense because of the obvious ways our businesses complement each other."

The terms of the agreement were given the thumbs up from both boards of directors although the deal is not expected to be complete until sometime between November and January.

"This transaction represents a great opportunity for our company and our associates," added Ross Perot Junior, chairman of the board at Perot Systems and son of the company's founder, in a statement.

"Today's announcement is the next step in formalising a relationship that has flourished for some time."

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.