PALO ALTO -- In a report released on Forbes.com, research firm Banc of America Securities said Agilent Technologies' new management may consider spinning off its Automated Test or Semiconductor Products businesses.
 
Banc of America said: "These businesses have the lowest operating margins and suffer the biggest swings in revenues making them more difficult to manage."
 
The group cautioned that spinning off low margin businesses may not help the stock price.
 
"The remaining businesses will deliver a higher blended margin," the research firm said. "But operating margins for the remaining businesses will be at or below comparable companies in those segments."

Agilent's representatives declined to comment, citing a company policy to "not endorse or respond to any third-party research or opinions."
 

ROUND ROCK, TX - The United States Department of the Interior's National Park Service has chosen Dell to immediately remove and recycle more than 2,000 computer systems.

"We are standardizing on Dell Asset Recovery Services because of the commitment from Dell to recycle these systems in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency standards," said Dom Nessi, chief information officer for the National Park Service. "We were spending lots of time coordinating the disposal of our outdated computers which was difficult to manage, provided little return on investment and caused concern about where they were ending up."

Dell could not confirm the makes of the systems to be recycled, but said it does recycle any make or model. The company is in talks with the NPS regarding future computing needs.

The National Park Service previously relied on its own processes to store, donate or auction its outdated computer systems. By choosing quality Dell services, the National Park Service is creating an easier way to properly dispose of older technology.

Government officials said Dell's willingness to work with minority and women-owned businesses to help refurbish and recycle technology products also was important in their decision process.

"The National Park Service employees can now turn over their equipment disposal function to Dell so they can focus on serving their community," said Hord Tipton, CIO for the Department of the Interior.  "Our partnership with Dell will bring more value to our employees and constituents by helping us be more environmentally aware while also saving time and money."

Dell's ARS unit disposes of used computer equipment and peripherals. The unit  "contribute(s) to the overall services business revenue," a Dell spokesman told Circuits Assembly.