Motorola acquires Melbourne app developer

Motorola Solutions has acquired privately held  Melbourne-based mobile applications developer Gridstone for an undisclosed price.

Gridstone develops mobile applications across different platforms and specialises in native iOS applications for public safety agencies, governments and enterprise.

Following the acquisition, Gridstone becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola Solutions. It will continue to deliver its existing contracts and grow its portfolio of products, including its public safety mobility platforms, according to Motorola Solutions.

Jon Grant, chief executive of Gridstone, said combining both companies' knowledge and expertise would enhance the quality and range of services and products provided by the companies.

"Motorola Solutions develops technology solutions for vertical markets that are naturally aligned to Gridstone’s," he said.

The acquisition will complement Motorola Solutions' Convergence suite, "which enables seamless communication and enhanced awareness for teams by combining digital radio networks with broadband data capabilities", according to Ian Clarke, corporate vice president for Motorola Asia-Pacific.

Motorola Solutions will also give Gridstone the ability to simplify complex workflow challenges.

"Gridstone applications provide clear and immediate benefits for customers, from reducing manual administration tasks so police officers can spend more time in the field to automating processes to increase efficiency within industrial environments," Clarke added.

Gridstone is not the first Australian application developer to attract a big-name buyer. Melbourne-based app developer Outware Mobile was acquired by Melbourne IT in June 2015 in a deal valued at the time at $67 million.

In July 2016, Telstra acquired award-winning Microsoft partner Readify.