Dell has agreed to buy Quest Software, which makes programs to manage corporate computer systems, for $28 a share, ending a bidding contest with Insight Venture Partners.

Quest Software, a maker of software to help companies manage cloud computer systems, rose above a new $25.50-a-share cash buyout offer from a strategic bidder that topped a previous agreement with Insight Venture Partners.

Quest Software rose above the $23-a-share offer from Insight Venture Partners to take the technology company private, signalling investors may anticipate higher bids.

Under threat of new multi-million pound fines, Microsoft today said it had signed up its first licensee for a programme EU regulators told it to set up three years ago to share code that helps servers work with the Windows operating platform.