IBM, Dell extend pact by $6 billion.

IBM and Dell Computer expanded their partnership in a multibillion-dollar deal to make IBM Global Services a provider of computer-related services to Dell customers. Although terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the companies said the pact could be worth $6 billion over seven years. In March, IBM and Dell announced a $16 billion agreement that called for Dell to buy Big Blue_s storage, microelectronics, networking, and display technology for its personal computers. The companies said that today_s agreement pairs the complementary capabilities of the world_s leading direct computer-systems company with the largest provider of information-technology services. This strategic agreement also formalizes and expands the scope of a pre-existing services relationship between the two companies. The technology contract gives Dell broad access to components based on IBM_s leading technology. Dell plans to start offering by early next year its U.S. corporate, government and education customers a range of installation and onsite warranty services from IBM Global Services for its desktops, notebooks, workstations, network servers, and data-storage products.