MSP Cloud Services Acquisition: ClearCube Buys Network Elites

The managed services and cloud services land grab continues. To wit, ClearCube Technology has acquired Network Elites, a managed services and cloud services specialist. Together, the Texas-based companies plan to accelerate their public and private cloud strategies  — including a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) initiative. We’ll be watching to see how the ClearCube-Network Elites deal influences managed services and cloud services across Texas, where well-known players like White Glove Technologies and HEIT (now owned by CSI), among others, also have substantial footprints.

Network Elites specializes in Microsoft Windows Server administration, disaster recovery, hosted Microsoft Exchange, and a cloud services delivery platform. In a prepared statement, Network Elites said its 1H 2011 revenues were up 40 percent vs. 1H 2010. Plus, Network Elites claimed to be a profitable, multi-million dollar operation.

Meanwhile, ClearCube’s private cloud operations include VMware View virtual desktops for task-oriented and knowledge workers, and ClearCube blade workstations for power users. ClearCube claims users can leverage zero footprint clients to access the VDI services. ClearCube recently announced a Cloud Desktop 9520 solution at VMworld 2011. ClearCube claims the solution offers secure and remote access to VMware View virtual desktops.

The ClearCube-Network Elites deal is the latest in a growing list of mergers and acquisitions involving Texas-based MSPs and cloud services specialists. White Glove has been involved in multiple deals. And HEIT acquired Simpler-Webb of Austin, Texas, before CSI gobbled up HEIT a few weeks ago.