Dell agreed today to acquire ASAP Software for approximately $340 million, the
No. 2 computer maker’s second acquisition in the last month.
The Buffalo Grove, Ill.-based ASAP, a subsidiary of Dutch-based office supplies distributor Corporate Express, provides IT products and services to corporations and government agencies. ASAP’s License Technologies Group
specializes in licensing and e-commerce services for software publishers and their partners.
“Merging Dell’s software business with ASAP is part of our effort to re-invent
and simplify the way our customers get access to IT,” said Paul Bell, Dell’s senior
vice president and president of Dell Americas, in a statement.
According to Bell, the Round Rock, Tex.-based Dell’s corporate, government and
institutional customers are increasingly asking the company for solutions that
simplify software management.
“After the acquisition is completed, our customers will have one of the
world’s leading software solutions providers as a single point of expertise
and accountability for software licensing, compliance, renewal and asset
management,” Bell said.
Dell, which expects close the ASAP deal in its third fiscal quarter, has often preferred organic growth to acquisitions, but seems to be changing its tack of late to generate more revenue streams.
In July, Dell acquired managed service provider SilverBack, which allows
customers to remotely manage their IT systems. Dell plans to integrate
SilverBack into its operations as part of its ongoing strategy of IT
simplification.
Dell’s buying spree follows the January resignation of
CEO Kevin Rollins in the face of slowing revenues, an internal accounting
audit and probes over its accounting practices by regulators. Company founder
Michael Dell resumed his role as CEO.
Dell Gets Right on ASAP For $340M
