New Signature acquired by services giant Cognizant

Acquisition of top Azure partner endorsed by Microsoft

Microsoft partner New Signature has been acquired by services giant Cognizant for an undisclosed sum.

Cognizant said the deal will expand its "hyperscale cloud advisory services", adding that 500 employees across predominately the UK, the US and Canada will join the business.

New Signature CEO Jeff Tench said: "New Signature's success is built upon helping clients create and accelerate their business transformation through the adoption of Microsoft cloud technologies.

"In joining Cognizant, we will have access to Cognizant's deep industry expertise and global scale, and together, provide best-in-class cloud solutions for the intelligent workplace, applied innovation, and managed services.

"We share a passion for innovation and look forward to our future at the heart of Cognizant's new Microsoft Business Group."

The New Signature deal represents the fifth cloud acquisition Cognizant has made this year, it said.

"The pace of cloud adoption continues to accelerate across industries, with Microsoft's cloud solutions among the preferred technologies to help transform and strengthen businesses," said Greg Hyttenrauch, President, Cognizant Digital Systems and Technology.

"Acquiring New Signature will enrich our cloud-first capabilities and complement our increasing strengths as a Microsoft partner. We look forward to welcoming New Signature into the Cognizant family."

The deal has seemingly been by Microsoft, with New Signature seen as one of the vendor's top Azure partners globally and is one of just 70 Azure Expert MSP.

Judson Althoff, executive VP of commercial business at Microsoft, said: "The New Signature acquisition will enhance Cognizant's ability to partner with customers across industries and geographies on their cloud strategy and business transformation.

"We look forward to building on our long-standing partnership with Cognizant, especially with the coming launch of Cognizant's new Microsoft Business Group."