Dell agrees to buy Perot Systems for about $3.6b

Dell Inc. says it has agreed to buy the information technology services company Perot Systems Corp. for about $3.6 billion as it looks to expand beyond the personal computer business.

The Round Rock, Texas PC company said Monday it will offer $30 per share in cash for Perot, which is based in Plano, Texas. It expects to close the deal in the November-January quarter.

Dell said Perot, founded by former presidential candidate Ross Perot, will expand the company’s IT services offerings and widen the pool of potential customers for its computers.