SAP channel consolidation continues as Sapphire buys InCloud

Those operating in the SAP channel are getting used to waking up to news of more consolidation among their ranks.

Last month, Accenture moved for Edenhouse and that has now been followed by Sapphire Systems extending its SAP capabilities with the acquisition of InCloud Solutions.

The plan is to use InCloud’s expertise to bolster Sapphire’s SAP Business ByDesign capabilities and give it more muscle in an increasingly competitive channel.

SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) offering that is being pitched for customers that want flexibility and a solution that can adapt to changing needs over a long time.

Three months into the year and InCloud is already the third deal for Sapphire, which is being supported by Horizon Capital. Its shopping list so far in 2021 already includes ITOM Solution and Pioneer B1.

“2021 has got off to an exceptionally busy start for us and we are incredibly excited to announce our third acquisition of the year,” said Ian Caswell, CEO of Sapphire Systems.

“As part of the accelerated growth strategy we announced last year, this latest acquisition will strengthen and expand our SAP practice, bringing further expertise and experience to our growing client base.”

Bob Atkinson, managing director of InCloud Solutions, said his company had the right expertise needed in the current market and would “slot perfectly” into the Sapphire culture.

“SAP Business ByDesign is a market-leading, native cloud-specific ERP solution perfectly aligned to the digital economy we’re fast becoming accustomed to,” he said.

Atkinson added that InCloud was also signed up to Sapphire’s vision of the future “as we strive to help our clients accelerate their shift away from current processes towards a digitally operated and cohesive format”.

Speaking to MicroScope last week, Laura Atkinson, chief partner officer for SAP UK & Ireland, said she was keen to encourage more partner-to-partner collaboration across the ecosystem, both naturally and as a result of consolidation. 

“One of the things that I’m really keen to do is make sure we’re fostering more partner-to-partner collaboration and innovation with our ecosystem,” she said.

SAP is also on a mission to double its partner revenues in the next three years and to meet that ambition, it will focus on partner enablement, capacity and capability, with certifications playing their role and innovation through encouraging more development of channel-led IP.