Microsoft has been on a quest to bolster its enterprise solutions, with CEO Satya Nadella declaring the dawn of SaaS – a sign that Microsoft is now turning to the cloud to provide companies with the technology they need to better manage money and operations.
The technology giant’s partners appear to be responding to Nadella’s declaration. Reports published late last week said Microsoft cloud computing partner Champion Solutions, which works closely with Microsoft for small business cloud services, is looking to strengthen its SaaS offerings through a strategic acquisition.
Reports said Champion Solutions will acquire cloud and mobile technology service provider allAware, a deal that will boost Champion Solutions’ existing Microsoft Business Unit, MessageOps. The deal means Champion Solutions will now be able to offer SMEs cloud services beyond Microsoft’s Office 365.
The takeover adds an array of B2B software offerings to Champion’s portfolio, including server health monitor tool Monitor Grid, emergency data storage tool Emergency File, and Linxter Messenger, which provides secure messaging services to small businesses.
“Within the allAware, Inc. purchase, we are making an investment in capitalizing on Microsoft’s momentum of Enterprise Mobility Suite and Azure Cloud services,” said Champion Solutions President and CEO Chris Pyle, adding that allAware co-founder Jason Milgram is one of 13 U.S. Microsoft Azure MVPs. “He and his team will make a huge impact on Champion’s continued success in assisting our clients to evolve in the way they embrace Microsoft cloud technologies and their mobile device strategies,” the executive added.
According to reports, Champion first acquired MessageOps in 2012 as a way to offer businesses a greater SaaS program that integrates in the Office 365 tool.
The companies did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition.
Recent reports from Forbes found that small businesses could perhaps gain the most from the cloud computing revolution thanks to more affordable infrastructure and service providers that do not force SMEs to take on major cost burdens.
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