MSP Core BTS Acquires Aptera Software to Boost Cloud App Dev Services

In an effort to expand its Microsoft cloud migration capabilities, managed service provider Core BTS has acquired Aptera Software. Core BTS, which announced the acquisition last week, is not disclosing terms of the deal.

Aptera is the latest among several IT services providers the MSP has acquired. Earlier this year, the company acquired Skyline Technologies. Skyline also provides Microsoft cloud-based application development and builds data analytics solutions. Additionally, Core BTS acquired Blue Chip Consulting Group last year.

Indianapolis-based Core BTS was founded in 2004 as a traditional provider of VAR and system integration services. Acquired by private equity firm Tailwind Capital  in 2018, the company then began transitioning into an MSP.

Besides the shift to managed services, Core BTS has also expanded its national footprint. Core BTS has historically had a large focus on providing Cisco gear. In 2019, it acquired SADA Systems’ Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint and Office 365 practice.

Now Core BTS provides the entire stack of Azure and Microsoft cloud managed services. The acquisition of Skyline in February, and now Aptera, will broaden Core BTS’s Azure cloud modernization capabilities. This comes as Microsoft’s new channel chief Rodney Clark is urging partners to expand their cloud and development competencies.

Core BTS’ Dylan Pure

Dylan Pure is Core BTS’ chief strategy officer. “We’re very excited about putting their capabilities in terms of Azure development and modernization with our existing business,” he said. “We feel it can help us take customers from being a dark account, as Microsoft says dark to cloud, all the way through to moving mission critical applications to the cloud.”

Aptera’s App Dev Capabilities

Aptera is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Its approximately 100 developers specialize in building web and mobile apps for enterprises. The company has clients throughout the U.S. in industries including banking, health care, manufacturing and retail.

Aptera provides a wide spectrum of app dev services including UI/UX design, architecture, quality assurance and security and compliance.  Although Core BTS already had a bench of application developers, it needed more, Pure told Channel Futures.

“Demand frankly outpaces supply in this market,” he said. “This acquisition will almost double our capacity in that regard.”

What stood out about Aptera, according to Pure, was Aptera Academy. The onboarding program provides training in modern, DevOps-oriented application development. The training, provided to all new Aptera hires, is also offered to clients.

“In this market for talent in terms of recruiting and retaining talent, we found the Aptera Academy to be a huge asset and something that we intend to leverage as a combined business,” Pure said.

Asked if Core BTS plans to continue making acquisitions, Pure indicated that additional deals are likely. “We will continue to be active in the M&A markets,” he said. “We have a buy and build strategy. So, we are very actively looking for additional acquisitions, both in the Microsoft ecosystem, but also in infrastructure and security. I’m relatively confident telling you that you’ll see us make additional acquisitions.”

Pure didn’t identify any specific acquisition targets or time frames.