Ready to end weeks of speculation, Dell appears set to acquire Quest Software, marking a major step in Dell's efforts to grow beyond its PC-seller roots into a provider of enterprise IT server hardware, software, storage and security products.
Dell and Quest executives have scheduled a call with industry media and analysts for 10:00 CT today "to discuss details of its intent to acquire Quest Software," according to a note from Quest media relations. The notice doesn't say more about the acquisition plans.
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Scheduled to be on the call are Dave Johnson, senior vice president of Dell corporate strategy; John Swainson, president of Dell Software; and Scott Davidson, Quest senior vice president and CFO.
Reports surfaced as early as late May that Dell was negotiating to acquire Quest, a developer of a broad range of system, security, database and application management software.
Quest was taken private in March when it was acquired by Insight Venture Partners in a $2 billion deal.
Acquiring Quest would greatly expand Dell's growing lineup of software offerings. In February Dell created a Software Group and hired former CA Technologies CEO Swainson to run it.
PUBLISHED JULY 2, 2012
