3Cloud, a Chicago-based Microsoft Azure consultancy, has acquired the consulting arm of Pragmatic Works, a technology consultancy focusing on Microsoft’s cloud and data platforms.
The transaction will create the largest Azure pure-play services firm in the US, according to a release from 3Cloud. The deal will also expand 3Cloud’s geographic presence to Florida and New Hampshire.
Founded in 2007, Pragmatic delivers cloud consulting and training services. The firm’s consulting arm supports cloud migrations, data analytics, infrastructure, and machine learning and AI, among other areas. Pragmatic has worked with thousands of companies, including 97% of the Fortune 100.
The firm recently won a Microsoft US 2020 Power BI Partner Award, and is also a Databricks partner with deep expertise on the platform. Pragmatic has more than 100 employees across offices in Fleming Island, Florida and Salem, New Hampshire.
“Pragmatic Works Consulting has always focused on helping companies grow their business and operate more efficiently with data. We take pride in helping our clients solve some of their most complex technology challenges,” said Adam Jorgensen, Pragmatic Works Consulting President. “3Cloud has the same client-focused and growth-oriented approach, and we’re excited to join forces with them.”
Pragmatic Works Training will continue as a separate company under the leadership of Brian Knight, founder and CEO of Pragmatic Works. “I’m extremely proud of the market-leading position Pragmatic Works has built in the Microsoft data and analytics space,” said Knight. “I look forward to seeing the talented employees of our consulting division continue to excel as part of the 3Cloud team.”
3Cloud was founded in 2016 and focuses solely on Azure transformations, with offerings across application modernization; data, AI, & analytics; DevOps & automation; infrastructure & operations; and managed services.
The firm recently won a Microsoft US 2020 Azure Influencer Partner Award, and has more than 100 employees across offices in Chicago, Dallas, and Pittsburgh.
Private equity firm Gryphon Partners, which completed a majority investment in 3Cloud in June, backed the acquisition of Pragmatic’s consulting arm.
“We continue to see tremendous Azure growth momentum in the marketplace, especially in the data and analytics space as companies seek to modernize their data warehouse and business intelligence platforms,” said Jim Dietrich, 3Cloud President and Co-Founder. “With the help of our financial partner Gryphon Investors, we will continue to pursue growth opportunities across the spectrum of Azure solution areas while remaining committed to our mission of delivering the ultimate Azure experience for our clients.”
Azure accounts for 18% of the $100 billion cloud infrastructure market, which is currently led by Amazon Web Services (33%). The top five is rounded out by Google Cloud (9%), Alibaba Cloud (6%), and IBM Cloud (5%), according to Synergy Research Group.