M+E Europe

Cognizant to Acquire Azure Cloud Specialist New Signature

Multinational IT services firm Cognizant has announced it will acquire Washington, D.C.-based IT service management company New Signature, a company that specializes in Microsoft technologies, with integrated offering across Azure, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365.

The acquisition marks the fifth cloud-related acquisition in 2020 for Cognizant. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“The pace of cloud adoption continues to accelerate across industries, with Microsoft’s cloud solutions among the preferred technologies to help transform and strengthen businesses,” said Greg Hyttenrauch, president of Cognizant Digital Systems and Technology. “Acquiring New Signature will enrich our cloud-first capabilities and complement our increasing strengths as a Microsoft partner. We look forward to welcoming New Signature into the Cognizant family.”

The acquisition of will boost Cognizant’s hyperscale cloud advisory services, and will result in a dedicated group within the company centered on Microsoft cloud solutions. New Signature’s more than 500 cloud experts, based in the U.S., UK, and Canada, will join Cognizant’s newly-formed Microsoft Business Group.

“New Signature’s success is built upon helping clients create and accelerate their business transformation through the adoption of Microsoft cloud technologies,” said Jeff Tench, CEO of New Signature. “In joining Cognizant, we will have access to Cognizant’s deep industry expertise and global scale, and together, provide best-in-class cloud solutions for the intelligent workplace, applied innovation, and managed services. We share a passion for innovation and look forward to our future at the heart of Cognizant’s new Microsoft Business Group.”

New Signature is one of 70 certified Azure Expert Managed Service Providers around the world, has 16 Gold Microsoft Competencies or specializations, and has been honored with the 2019 Microsoft U.K. Partner of the Year award, 2018 Microsoft IMPACT Canada award, and 2015 and 2014 Microsoft U.S. Partner of the Year awards.

“The New Signature acquisition will enhance Cognizant’s ability to partner with customers across industries and geographies on their cloud strategy and business transformation,” said Judson Althoff, EVP of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business. “We look forward to building on our long-standing partnership with Cognizant, especially with the coming launch of Cognizant’s new Microsoft Business Group.”