ECS acquires DevOps firm Forest Technologies
Deal extends ECS’ digital transformation offering to leading companies
London-based DevOps specialist Forest Technologies has been acquired by IT services firm ECS, which supports a number of FTSE 100 companies.
Founded in 2003, Forest Technologies provides DevOps and continuous delivery expertise to firms undertaking digital transformation initiatives to improve business agility.
The firm works as a consulting partner with key vendors including Automic, AppDynamics, AWS, Docker and Puppet, as well as directly with some of the world’s largest global businesses.
Following the acquisition, Forest founder Andy Cureton has become managing director of ECS’ new Digital Practice, reporting to ECS group chief executive Paul Thomson. All Forest Technologies’ 22 employees are joining ECS.
The focus for sales growth will be on large enterprise customers in the UK and Asia-Pacific via the firm’s fast-growing Singapore office. The company will continue to grow indirect revenues globally by building on its existing relationships with the leading DevOps vendors. Key markets for indirect growth include Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Thomson said: “Our existing FTSE 100 customers are looking to ECS for direction and thought leadership as they plan, design and implement their digital transformation programmes. This acquisition adds important DevOps and continuous delivery capabilities to our advisory and IT transformation services, giving us a full complement of experience, skill and expertise to help our customers build competitive advantage.”
Thomson added: “Under Andy Cureton’s leadership we will grow the existing indirect channel established by Forest Technologies, while also building a stronger direct channel into large enterprises, which is ECS’ heartland.
“Our goal with the ECS Digital Practice is to repeat the success we have had since acquiring the IT security company Vacta in 2012 and making it the ECS Security Practice. Revenues for this practice have grown ten-fold in less than four years.”
Founded in 2008, ECS has offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Pune, India. Clients include Nationwide Building Society, three of the four largest UK retail banks and two of the top four British supermarkets.
@AntonySavvas