Digital infrastructure, i.e. telecommunications networks, cloud computing systems, data centers, internet service providers and software applications, is important in facilitating communication, commerce and innovation in the modern age. Without digital infrastructure, it is difficult to connect people and devices, share information and access online services and resources.
Digital infrastructure is traditionally sourced and sold through various channels depending on the type of infrastructure. This means reaching out to telecom providers, cloud service providers, and software vendors.
Well, advisory platform for digital infrastructure UPSTACK is now changing the way digital infrastructure is sourced and sold by using actionable business intelligence to architect and source customized technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.
And UPSTACK is living up to what it calls itself as “the fastest-growing advisory platform” with the acquisition of enterprise technology advisory firm The Monaco Group (TMG).
TMG helps large enterprises grow by finding, negotiating and maintaining their technology stacks, including network, cloud, communications and security solutions. As architects of technology, TMG builds optimal IT programs that help catapult businesses by removing the burden and pressure of finding, optimizing network connections and securing network and data.
TMG provides customer experiences that promote friendly, day-to-day partnerships while also focusing on efficiency, productivity, and carrying out and managing the business’s solution.
With its proven track record of success (and countless accolades), TMG founder and CEO Joe Monaco was actually not looking to sell, at first. But Monaco said the decision ended up coming down to one thing: TMG’s customer experience.
“By joining UPSTACK's established team of people and processes, we could continue to grow TMG while maintaining our high level of customer support,” Monaco said. “That means the TMG team can focus more on advising our enterprise customers on strategic technology investments."
Monaco is expected to join UPSTACK as partner and managing director.
The acquisition of TMG follows another recent acquisition UPSTACK made: LinkSource Technologies, a technology management company. UPSTACK has since formed a strategic partnership with LinkSource’s technology hardware sourcing business.
LinkSource helps businesses bridge the gaps in their technology as trusted consultants in telecom, as well as cloud and hardware procurement and management. LinkSource provides network and cloud sourcing in addition to managed services, such as telecom expense management, mobility management, vendor management and bid management.
What makes LinkSource different from other technology management companies is that it holds regular meetings to review open orders and disputes, provides a dedicated account team, and reviews activities, savings, trends and opportunities.
"Curt and Jason have built LinkSource into a unique and impactful technology management business that combines a traditional commissioned agency with a direct-billed managed services provider,” said UPSTACK founder and CEO Christopher Trapp. "The combination has earned loyal customers among some of the most well-known enterprise brands.”
The previously mentioned LinkSource CEO and founder Curt Lewis and President Jason Newbold are to remain invested owners in LinkSource Technologies, growing the hardware sourcing business as LinkSource Systems. The purpose of LinkSource Systems is to reinvent the hardware sourcing business by working with UPSTACK to provide a seamless experience for its customers as part of a new strategic partnership.
“We were approached by other investors, but it quickly became clear to us that UPSTACK was the best fit for our business and employees,” said Lewis. “It came down to the people they have on board, what they’re building and their business philosophy. It wasn’t just the dollar figure; we wanted a go-forward plan for growth and opportunity, and UPSTACK delivered.”
LinkSource’s Kelley Moore, Vice President of Client Services and Operations, and Frank Mastro, Vice President of Sales (as well as additional LinkSource team members) are to join UPSTACK.
The two acquisitions show that UPSTACK, with its areas of expertise that include colocation, network, private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, data center and unified communications, continues to add to its proven leadership and expertise to further drive project management, implementation, account management and support.
The transaction terms of the two acquisitions were not disclosed.
Edited by
Alex Passett
