US-based IT company Wayside Technology Group has acquired CDF Group, a UK-based cloud, software and IT distributor and services provider, for nearly $17.4 million.

CDF Group mainly goes to market under the brands – Grey Matter, a value-added reseller (VAR) that offers cloud, software and technical services, and Sigma Software Distribution, which offers software products to VARs across EMEA.

Wayside Technology, on the other hand, offers sales and distribution solutions through its Climb division.

Sigma Software Distribution is said to closely works with its vendors and VARs, distributing a portfolio of software solutions across a range of industries. Both Sigma Software Distribution and Grey Matter are said to have deep expertise in Microsoft Azure, and are Microsoft Gold Partners with nine competencies, while having various direct agreements with Microsoft.

Grey Matter is engaged in the direct supply of software and cloud subscriptions to end users such as ISVs and developers. It is said to have direct buying relationships with 300 plus vendors.

Grey Matter also hosts a cloud automation platform and provides cloud service optimization, end-to-end migration services and also a suite of consulting services via its CloudKnowHow offering.

Dale Foster – CEO of Wayside Technology said: “CDF brings a robust cloud services platform to Climb and significantly strengthens our position in the EMEA market.

“By utilizing CDF’s existing cloud solutions infrastructure, we believe that our cloud offerings are better positioned to meet the growing needs of our vendor and VAR partners in both EMEA and North America.

“Further, with the added support of CDF’s professional services division CloudKnowHow, we can make cloud integration seamless for our clients and further build out our team’s technical expertise. This presents a long-term strategic opportunity for us to expand into more value-added services that can deepen our partnership with customers.”

CDF Group will add nearly 125 employees to Wayside Technology, over 1,000 VARs from its network, and deep relationships with vendors like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, SAP, Adobe ManageEngine, and others.

Additionally, CDF Group’s present CEO Andrew King will join Wayside Technology and will head its European operations as president and general manager of EMEA.

Andrew King said: “Wayside’s extensive vendor network and commitment to developing emerging technology brands made them an ideal partner for CDF given our limited overlap in geographies as well as vendor and VAR relationships.

“In addition, CDF’s software and cloud platform expertise will enable us to provide Wayside’s customers with end-to-end cloud solutions and support, from cloud adoption to migration to optimization. We look forward to integrating with Wayside and building an even stronger cloud marketplace and vendor network as a combined company.”

  Andrew King, CDF Group, CloudKnowHow, Dale Foster, Grey Matter, Sigma Software Distribution, United Kingdom, USA, Wayside Technology Group