Dell acquires Quest Software for $2.4 billion to expand its security and data solutions

Strengthening its systems management, security and data protection services, Dell has agreed to acquire enterprise software specialists Quest Software for $2.4 billion, at $28.00 per share.

Rumours of a deal had been circulating, with Quest Software disclosing earlier today that it had received a bid of $27.50 per share in cash from an unknown bidder. The announcement confirms a slightly increased bid for the company, signifying Dell’s intent to move away from PCs and differentiate its products and services.

Dell says that the acquisition will provide “critical components” to expand its software capabilities in systems management, data security and data protection.

It will assume control of Quest’s SonicWALL and Secureworks security solutions, its monitoring solutions for applications, networks and database and also its server management solutions, which will tie in with its recent acquisitions of Clerity Solutions and Make Technologies.

Dell will integrate Quest’s 1,500 software sales experts and 1,300 software developers into its systems management, security and Cloud teams, forming what it believes will be a $1.2 billion software business. Quest has around 3,850 employees and operates 60 offices in 23 countries.

Dell expects the acquisition to close in its third fiscal quarter, following approval from Quest’s shareholders.

[Image Credit – Cristiano Betta]