Dell announced Monday its plan to acquire technology services provider Perot Systems in a potential deal worth $3.9 billion, in a move that would help the company in competing its rivals such as IBM and HP more efficiently.

Under the deal, Dell will buy all outstanding common stock of Perot Systems for $30 a share in cash, representing a premium of 67.5 per cent on the Friday's closing price of $17.91 on NYSE.

Perot Systems, which was founded in 1988 by Ross Perot who contested US Presidential polls 1992 and 1996, provides IT services and business solutions to customers in healthcare, banking and government.

Dell, world's No. 2 manufacturer of PCs, has been looking for diversification of its offerings and services.

Michael Dell, CEO of Dell, said, "This acquisition makes great sense because of the obvious ways our businesses complement each other and enable us to grow profitably over time."

Shares in Perot Systems soared to $29.56, gaining 65 per cent in the NYSE composite trading, while shares in Dell plunged to $16.01, losing 4.1 per cent on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.