NEWS BRIEFS--Compuware beefs up services operations.

Enterprise software and tools vendor Compuware last week announced the signing of a merger agreement with professional services company, Data Processing Resources (DPR), through which Compuware will acquire DPR in a cash transaction. The deal, which has the approval of both companies' boards, calls for Compuware to purchase outstanding shares of DPR shares at $24 each. DPR, which focuses on the corporate IT services market, employs roughly 3,400 consultants and handles application development projects, network management, help desk, internetworking and enterprise resource planning implementations, according to company officials. The Irvine, Calif.-based company reported …