Service Express Snaps Up Two Providers with Key IBM Cloud Expertise

The cash cow that is cloud continues to attract interest from a range of parties, including smaller channel-centric providers. On the heels of N-able’s Spinpanel acquisition and Node4’s risual deal comes word that another company has snapped up two organizations focused on cloud computing. And, in this case, their IBM Cloud capabilities served as the big lure.

The buyer in question is Service Express. The Michigan-based company delivers data center maintenance and support (CDW ranks as one of its key partners) in the United States and the U.K.

The acquirees in question are iTech Solutions Group and iInTheCloud. The former acts as a managed service provider; the latter as a cloud hosting provider. Both specialize in IBM technologies, with strength in IBM Cloud.

Who Are iTech Solutions and iInTheCloud?

MSP iTech Solutions, headquartered in Connecticut, holds IBM Gold Business Partner Status. In fact, one of the big reasons Service Express bought iTech Solutions was for that standing. Thanks to iTech Solutions’ IBM Gold ranking, Service Express said its U.S. operations now mirror those of its UK counterpart.

iTech Solutions targets organizations in financial services, manufacturing and retail running IBM Power Systems. It offers storage, administration and operating system subscription services, as well as IBM cloud hosting, security assessments and remediation, and more. iTech Solutions employs a team of certified technical consultants, IBM i system administrators and IBM Power Systems technicians, all of whom bring their specialties to Service Express.

iTech’s Pete Massiello

“Joining Service Express gives us the ability to expand our service offerings to existing and new customers, which was challenging as a smaller organization,” said Pete Massiello, president of iTech Solutions Group. “I’m looking forward to working with the Service Express team to create synergy and bring our solutions to more companies around the globe.”

Meantime, iInTheCloud takes aim at IBM cloud hosting, through IBM Power and IBM Flash Systems, within the Tier 3 data centers it runs in Michigan. End users look to iInTheCloud to handle responsibilities including consolidating their workloads, increasing server usage and reducing costs.

Long-Standing Partnership

Of note is that iTech Solutions and iInTheCloud have worked together for some time and come to Service Express with that partnership. iTech offers IBM i cloud hosting using iInTheCloud’s infrastructure. Plus, iIntheCloud teams up with Service Express — the two companies are located close to each other in Michigan.

iIntheCloud’s Larry Bolhuis

“My focus has always been on creating flexible, reliable and scalable solutions for IBM i and Power System customers around the Midwest,” said Larry Bolhuis, co-president of iInTheCloud. “With Service Express’s headquarters only minutes from our data centers, the company has been the go-to service provider for many of our customers, as well as for iInTheCloud since its inception. I’m excited to expand our support options and capabilities for our new and existing customers.”

Adding iTech and iInTheCloud expands Service Express’s IBM and IBM Cloud expertise overall.

“The acquisition of iTech and iInTheCloud accelerate the expansion of…