Dell snaps up Perot Systems for $3.9 billion

Dell Inc. (DELL), which is trying to hold onto its shrinking share of the PC market, today agreed to acquire information technology services company Perot Systems Inc. (PER) for about $3.9 billion. The addition of Perot would allow the computer maker to add services such as IT consulting geared toward businesses to its existing product offerings.

The acquisition is similar to IBM's (IBM) purchase of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting for $3.5 billion in 2002, and addresses Dell's dependence on hardware such as laptops and PCs, which are facing increased competition from cheaper machines including netbooks. The companies expect the transaction to be accretive to Dell's GAAP earnings in its fiscal 2012.