Dell buys ASAP to expand software offerings

Dell Inc. is buying ASAP Software, a provider of management tools and services and a subsidiary of office products supplier Corporate Express.

The acquisition of the Buffalo Grove, Ill.-based supplier of management tools and services will strengthen Dell's existing software business by integrating ASAP's software licensing, purchasing, renewals and compliance operations, Dell said in a statement. The deal is valued at $340 million.

Dell said the acquisition is a key step in answering the needs of its corporate, government and institutional customers who have been asking for additional ways to simplify software management.

ASAP has more than 600 employees and sales offices in 48 locations across North America and Europe.

An ASAP subsidiary, License Technologies Group, a provider of licensing and e-commerce services for software publishers, is included in the sale.

Both companies are big players on the GSA Schedules, so the purchase will increase Dell's top spot by a large margin, said Mark Amtower, founder of Amtower & Company, a consulting firm in Highland, Md.

"ASAP is a master of the software enterprise licensing for government ? known as SmartBuy in federal parlance ? where Dell had no play," he said.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. It is expected to close during Dell's fiscal third quarter, the company said.

Dell of Round Rock, Texas, ranks No. 17 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.