IBM Acquires Nordcloud: Expanding Multi-Cloud Capabilities

Since announcing its intention to separate its traditional infrastructure services division last October, IBM has been actively focusing on the hybrid cloud model. Today, the company furthered this commitment with the acquisition of Nordcloud, a multi-cloud consultancy headquartered in Helsinki. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Nordcloud complements this direction by providing 500 consultants holding certifications in Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. This gives IBM a skilled workforce to assist clients as they transition from solutions centered around IBM products to a more flexible approach, allowing customers to implement their cloud strategies as they see fit.

This strategy echoes the $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat in 2018, which serves as a foundational element for this transformation, as IBM CEO Arvind Krishna explained in a recent CNBC interview with Jon Fortt. Krishna is currently leading a comprehensive organizational overhaul, and acquisitions such as this one are intended to accelerate that process.

John Granger, senior vice president of cloud application innovation and COO of IBM Global Business Services, notes that IBM’s clients are increasingly seeking assistance with managing resources across various providers, as well as within their own data centers.

“The addition of Nordcloud to IBM will provide the specialized knowledge necessary to facilitate our clients’ digital transformations and encourage greater use of IBM’s hybrid cloud platform. Nordcloud’s cloud-native tools, processes, and personnel clearly demonstrate IBM’s dedication to ensuring our clients achieve successful cloud adoption,” Granger stated.

Following the completion of the acquisition, anticipated in the first quarter of the coming year pending standard regulatory approvals, Nordcloud will operate as part of IBM to further support this strategic direction.

This acquisition follows a series of smaller, recent purchases, including Expertus last week, and Truqua and Instana last month. These companies offer specialized skills in areas such as digital payments, SAP consulting, and hybrid cloud application performance monitoring, respectively.

Founded in 2011 and based in Helsinki with an office in Amsterdam, Nordcloud has secured over $26 million in funding, as reported by PitchBook data.