Dell to pay $3.9 billion for Perot Systems

In a move to expand beyond PCs and beef up its services business, Dell announced earlier this week it plans to acquire Perot Systems Corp. for $3.9 billion.

The terms of the deal have been approved both company's boards. The transaction is expected to close in Dell's November-January fiscal quarter.

Once the acquisition is complete, Plano, TX-based Perot Systems will become Dell's services unit. Perot Systems' current CEO Peter Altabef will heap up the division. Perot Systems chairman H. Ross Perot Jr. is expected to join the Dell board.

Perot Systems provides technology services including data center management, software and consulting. The company was founded in 1988 by the former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot Sr.

Founded in 1984 by Michael Dell, Dell designs, develops, manufactures, markets and sells personal computers, software and peripherals, servers and networking, services, and storage products. The Round Rock, TX-based company perennially ranks #1 on the Multichannel Merchant 100.