Dell Inc. (DELL) agreed to acquire legacy modernization software
provider Make Technologies as the computer maker continues its
efforts to focus on business customers.
Make Technologies, of Vancouver, British Columbia, was founded
in 1999 and has about 100 employees. Dell expects to close the deal
in the second quarter, and financial terms weren't disclosed.
Earlier this week, Dell agreed to acquire privately held Wyse
Technology, a provider of software and hardware that play into the
trend called cloud computing, as well as the modernization services
company Clerity Solutions.
Dell said companies are modernizing their software so they can
reduce legacy infrastructure operating costs and the acquisition of
Make Technologies and Clerity Solutions and existing Dell Services
capabilities will allow the company to provide all modernization
needs, from hardware through application migration services.
Faced with soft PC sales, Dell has been increasing its focus on
high-margin business products including storage products, security,
services and networking. Since 2009, the company has acquired about
a dozen companies, including a number in recent weeks.
Dell in February said fourth-quarter earnings fell 18% as a
shortage of disk drives hurt its ability to sell higher-end
computers, though revenue edged up 2.2%.
Shares closed Wednesday at $16.46 and were inactive
premarket.
-By Melodie Warner, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2283;
melodie.warner@dowjones.com