Dell to acquire Perot Systems for $3.9 billion

Dell and Perot Systems announced Monday that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Dell to acquire Perot for approximately $3.9 billion. In a move clearly intended to change the positioning of Dell from a box-oriented hardware company to a systems and services-based organization, the acquisition will make Dell a more lucrative choice for enterprise organizations that have traditionally selected IBM and HP due to their service capabilities. Another key strategic feature of the deal is the strong revenue stream Perot derives from the healthcare industry, which continues to grow at high rates in contrast to other market segments. Basically a cash deal at $30 per share, when completed, Perot Systems will become Dell’s services unit and will be led from Plano, Texas, by Peter Altabef, the current Perot Systems CEO.