Dell today announced plans to acquire Perot Systems for $3.9 billion. The PC manufacturer's purchase values the Plano, Texas-based IT company at $30 a share. Dell expects the deal to close before January.

With the acquisition, Dell hopes to expand its own offering of IT services, while helping to deploy more of its own systems to existing Perot customers. The deal, according to Dell, will also help increase Perot System's reach across the world.

Perot System's was founded by one-time third-party presidential candidate Ross Perot. Perot's son, Ross Perot Jr. will be considered for a seat on the deal board, once the deal goes through.