Dell taps former CA chief to head new software group
John Swainson, former CEO of software company CA, has been named as president of Dell's New Software Group, to focus on selling software to the enterprise crowd.
Dell has hired John Swainson, former CEO of CA, as president of its new software group.
Reporting directly to Dell CEO Michael Dell, Swainson will lead the new group with a mission to sell products and services to large enterprises as the company continues to expand beyond the PC business.
Dubbed CA's Mr. Fix-It in a CNET story from 2005, Swainson has been credited with turning around and expanding his former company, a talent Dell undoubtedly hopes he can bring to his new position.
The new software group is aimed at helping Dell in its ongoing goal to sell hardware, software, and services to IT customers, seen by the company as a $3 trillion industry.
"The addition of software, both within the Software Group and across all of Dell, will help catalyze our transformation," Michael Dell said in a statement. "As software will be a part of all of our products and services, the group's success will be largely be measured by the success of Dell overall."
Swainson most recently served as a senior adviser to private equity firm Silver Lake.
Before that he was CEO and director of CA from 2005 to 2009 during which time the company "significantly increased customer satisfaction, its operating margins, and revenue," according to Dell.
"John is an outstanding leader with an unparalleled record of achievement," Michael Dell said. "He brings to Dell extensive experience in leading and growing software businesses, unique expertise in managing complex software organizations, and a passion for listening to and serving customers. I look forward to working with John as he expands our enterprise solutions and builds on our software capabilities."
Swainson still start his new role effective March 5.