Cloud Sherpas buys Devnet

Cloud Sherpas has bought Brisbane-based Google apps developer Devnet to support its plans for expansion throughout the Asia Pacific. 

It is the latest in a string of acquisitions for the US-based Google cloud service provider (CSP) and its second in the region after picking up New Zealand’s WaveAdept last month.

Financial terms of the Devnet acquisition were not disclosed. A spokesman for Cloud Sherpas said the company would retain all Devnet staff but not the Devnet brand. He said it was not in discussions to buy any more local companies.

Cloud Sherpas said Devnet would bring to the company more specialised Google apps developers and valued customers including Technology One, Altium and the Investor’s Club.

“Our acquisition of Devnet, an early Google partner, ensures that our local team will be well-equipped to serve the increasing demand from both enterprises and local businesses looking for an experienced Google Apps partner in the region,” said Cloud Sherpas chief executive officer Jon Hallett. 

The company recently established its Australian head office in Sydney where it had a small number of staff. From there it would serve companies throughout the region as well as any global customers that had a local presence.

“Sydney gives us a launch pad to all of Asia,” said Eran Gil, a co-founder of Cloud Sherpas and acting general manager for the region.

“While we intend to focus on delivering world-class service and support to businesses in Australia and New Zealand in the near-term, over time, we expect to work with many customers in Singapore, India, Japan and other Asian markets.” 

Cloud Sherpas cited recent IDC studies projecting that the Asia Pacific market for cloud computing would grow around 40 percent year-on-year from $1.3 billion in 2010 until 2014.