ASAP Inc. now part of Dell

Buffalo Grove-based ASAP Software Inc. has been acquired by Dell Inc. for $340 million.

The deal, which still needs regulatory approval, is expected to strengthen the personal computer maker's software business with managing software licensing, renewals and compliance.

The acquisition is expected to close in the fiscal third quarter.

Dell has made two purchases in less than a month to spur software revenue and corporate sales.

Revenue from software and peripherals climbed 6 percent to $2.3 billion in the first quarter, while PC sales dropped. Dell, which lost the lead in computer sales to Hewlett-Packard Co. last year, has bought two other companies since 2000, according to Bloomberg data.

Last month, Dell agreed to buy closely held SilverBack Technologies Inc. to add software for maintaining computers.

"Merging Dell's software business with ASAP is part of our effort to re-invent and simplify the way our customers get access to IT," Paul Bell, senior vice president and president of Dell Americas, said in a release.

ASAP is a unit of Amsterdam-based Corporate Express, the world's biggest office-supplies distributor.

ASAP also provides e-commerce services for software publishers and their partners, the company said.

Spokespeople at both companies did not respond to requests for comments Friday.