Three types of targets are under consideration

Dell has ambitions in Europe in computer services and it is in cache. "Ideally, we should achieve one or more acquisitions next year," said Eric Velfre, responsible for the computer services at Dell for the Europe-Middle-East-Africa zone activity. The number three global PC wants to accelerate its development in a market segment where it is conspicuous by its absence on the Continent.

Despite the acquisition of the American system integrators Perot Systems, in 2009, to 3.9 billion, Dell remains a player in second place in the world and almost non-existent plan in Europe. On the old Continent, it points to the 24eplace in the classification of the firm Cap, behind IBM and HP. The acquisition of Perot has anchored the presence of the group in the United States, but created an imbalance between the two regions, that it is "necessary to fill", according to Eric Velfre. Europe is indeed less than 15 of the turnover of services.

The American manufacturer focuses on the France, the Germany and Britain, representing about two thirds of the market in Europe. Three types of targets are under consideration. Ideally, Dell would like to return to a player, already present in the three countries. But the list of contenders was shortened since the acquisition by Atos Origin (SIS) Siemens Computer branch, announced last week. The redemption of SSII implanted locally, with a turnover between 200 million and EUR 1 billion, is also envisaged. "Dell could thus reinforce its presence with SMEs, a segment of customers that he knows well through its hardware offerings," said Matthew Poujol, consultant with Cap. The Osiatis French, specializing in outsourcing of it infrastructures, would the proper profile, even if the capital of the company is currently locked. Finally, acquisitions targeted companies more small, but "with a particular expertise", are not excluded.

Cap on "data centers".

If there is a real will to develop, the Texas Group does not want to much to scatter. "We want to focus on the activities of Council and the outsourcing of data centers,", explains Eric Velfre. The computer manufacturer and wants to capitalize on its expertise in infrastructure and storage.

Management services for "data centers" should grow rapidly in the coming years, while the volume of processed data will continue to increase in business. "There is a real need of rationalization and consolidation of"data centers"for a large number of companies", analyzes the leader of Dell. The emergence of the phenomenon of "cloud computing" (sharing of computer capabilities) should make the request. In addition to external growth projects, Dell is also investing in existing activities. The Group decided to build four new "data centers" in Europe (France, Ireland, Germany, Great Britain), which will be exclusively dedicated to the use of its customers.

The offensive of the group in Europe is part of an overall strategy to increase the share of services in its activity. The objective is to double the sales of the division Solutions to companies in the world for $ 30 billion in 2013. Services contribute half the income from this division.