Google Apps Reseller, MSP Merge

Cloudbakers, a Google Apps reseller, has merged with Six Nines IT, a managed services provider. The deal reinforces the blending of MSPs with the SaaS-centric solutions providers that offer Google Apps for Business, Zoho CRM, Amazon Web Services and other major cloud services.

Cloudbakers is a Chicago-based Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller. Six Nines IT is an MSP serving Northern California’s Napa Valley. The new company, to be called Cloudbakers, will expand their geographic footprint and service offerings to meet the needs of their clients, according to a prepared statement from both companies.

Cloudbakers has more than 125 customers and launched in 2010. Six Nines IT, which also launched in 2010, offers IaaS and managed services to roughly 50 customers. Cloudbakers and Six Nines IT did not disclose financial terms for the deal, nor did the companies publicly discuss headcount information.

Meanwhile, a growing number of MSPs seem to be embracing Google Apps and/or its chief rival, Microsoft Office 365. Indeed 20.6 percent of MSPmentor 100 survey participants in 2011 said they were offering or supporting Google Apps for customers. Moreover, 42.9 percent of MSPs said they were involved with Office 365.

Also of note: 33 percent of cloud services providers (CSPs) say they are backing Google Apps, while 30.4 percent mention Office 365 as a core focus, according to the Talking Cloud 100, a survey from MSPmentor’s sister site.