Dell fortifies services unit with acquisition

Dell Computer announced Friday that it has acquired technology consulting and application-development company Plural.

The acquisition comes as Dell seeks to bolster its professional services business, which accounts for 10 percent of its revenue, said Mike Maher, a Dell spokesman.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Plural, based in New York, offers consulting, custom applications development and packaged software. The company, which generated $46 million in revenue last year, focuses on such areas as collaboration and content management, e-commerce, and customer relationship management software.

Privately held Plural agreed to be acquired by Dell based on similarities in the two companies' focus, according to a statement by Plural. For example, the companies use Microsoft technology for application development, integration and deployment.

Plural's 200 employees will be added to the 7,000 that work in Dell's professional services area, Maher said.