Ending weeks of speculation, Dell and Quest Software today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which Dell would acquire Quest, a provider IT management software solutions, in a deal valued at approximately $2.4 billion.
Dell says that the acquisition will provide critical components to expand its software capabilities in systems management, security, data protection and workspace management. Quest’s products will fall under Dell’s recently-formed Software Group, and strengthen Dell’s enterprise solutions capabilities.
According to Dell, Quest’s software portfolio is highly complementary to Dell’s scalable design approach to develop solutions that scale with customer needs. Some examples include:
• The Quest One Identity and Access Management solution family adds to Dell’s set of security assets including SonicWALL and Secureworks, creating a set of security solutions to address important customer needs.
• Quest’s Performance Monitoring solutions for applications, networks and databases address a rapidly growing need for our customers.
• Quest’s Windows Server Management solutions complement Dell Services’ application modernization practice with recently acquired Clerity Solutions and Make Technologies.
• Quest’s Database Management capabilities complement Dell’s enterprise offerings.
Founded in 1987, Quest is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, has 3,850 employees, and claims more than 100,000 customers around the word. The company had $857 million in global revenue based on its fiscal year 2011 results at gross margins of 86 percent and operating margins of 11 percent.
Under terms of the agreement, approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Dell will pay $28.00 per share in cash for each share of Quest for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.4 billion, net of Quest’s cash and debt. The transaction is expected to close in Dell’s third fiscal quarter, subject to approval by Quest’s shareholders and customary conditions.
