Comdisco May Sell Unit to SunGard Data

Comdisco Inc., which is operating under bankruptcy protection, said it agreed to sell its technology services business to SunGard Data Systems Inc. for $825 million.

But rival bidder Hewlett-Packard Co. said it intends to contest the deal when it comes up for approval at a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing Oct. 23, on grounds that it would be anti-competitive.

“The process is far from over,” Hewlett-Packard spokeswoman Rebeca Robboy said. She declined to disclose details of the Palo Alto-based company’s latest bid or to say whether Hewlett-Packard had sweetened a $610-million offer that Comdisco had accepted in July, when it sought bankruptcy protection.

The business Comdisco is selling helps companies keep their computer systems running in the event of disaster--services that are more in demand since the terrorist attacks.

Comdisco’s shares rose 3 cents to 83 cents on the NYSE.