AppSmart Buys CNSG, Adds to Haul of Master Agents

Master agents WTG, Telegation and now Converged Network Services Group (CNSG) are working together under the AppSmart brand.

AppSmart, which provides a marketplace of more than 200 technology providers, said Thursday that it’s buying CNSG, a 13-year-old company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. AppSmart is gunning to make its portfolio the most diverse in the master-agent community, with expertise in “cloud, voice, connectivity, IoT, services and support.”

The agreement widens CNSG’s footprint, according to founder and CEO Matt Harty.

CNSG’s Matt Harty

“We believe joining AppSmart will fuel CNSG’s rapid national expansion efforts, providing our partners with more resources and support than ever before,” Harty said. “This is the next step in the future of CNSG, a future that has never been brighter.”

Harty will retain his position, as well the rest of the CNSG executive team.

The cloud commerce platform AppDirect last year bought WTG and North Carolina-based cloud service provider NeoCloud, merging the brands to form AppSmart. WTG CEO Vince Bradley assumed the job of exploring acquisition opportunities with other master agents and has secured two. Michigan-based Telegration joined the fold during the fall, and now CNSG has followed suit.

Subagents have credited AppSmart for automating the back office and simplifying their day-to-day operations. Randy Friedberg, CNSG’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, complimented AppSmart’s “comprehensive and easy-to-use platform.”

CNSG’s Randy Friedberg

“We play the roles of both technology matchmaker and revenue protector for our partners,” Friedberg said. “AppSmart significantly enhances our ability to design the most complete technology solutions, while protecting our partners’ commissions and future revenue streams.”

Comcast’s Craig Schlagbaum

Craig Schlagbaum serves as vice president and channel chief for Comcast Business, which has teamed with all three master agents. He praised the acquisition.

“As partners move more toward trusted advisers, they need solid expertise in both applications and networks to assist their clients in making the proper technology decisions,” Schlagbaum said. “AppSmart’s innovative platform will keep CNSG partners on the forefront of this sea of change, and is a critical component to support partners in the next level of their growth and development for the future.”

Eric Brooker, senior director of national partner programs for the AppSmart and CNSG partner Bigleaf Networks, praised the move in a LinkedIn post.

Source: LinkedIn