Cognizant Sept. 1 announced it’s acquiring Chicago-based 10th Magnitude, a Microsoft Azure-focused cloud specialist that offers advisory and managed services around data center transformation, application modernization, and AI-driven data intelligence.

The acquisition will provide Cognizant more Microsoft Azure expertise, expanding Cognizant’s new Microsoft Business Group in the U.S. Both companies are Microsoft Gold Partners, with 10th Magnitude being one of 70 certified Azure Expert Managed Service Providers worldwide, and Cognizant being named 2020 Microsoft Partner of the Year for SAP on Azure and Government and as U.S. Partner for Modern Workplace – Apps & Solutions for Microsoft Teams.

“Modernizing business platforms by shifting to the cloud is a key priority for our clients,” said Greg Hyttenrauch, president of Cognizant Digital Systems and Technology. “The acquisition of 10th Magnitude underscores our commitment to Microsoft, one of our leading strategic partners, and will further strengthen our ability to provide Azure expertise to our clients as they embrace the cloud. We are excited to unlock the power of this acquisition and to welcome 10th Magnitude’s outstanding team to Cognizant.”

Following the close of the acquisition, 10th Magnitude’s Azure experts will join Cognizant as part of the Microsoft Business Group. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Hyperscale cloud infrastructures are enabling organizations to be more agile and improve their business performance to better serve customers. The ability to pivot, innovate, remain flexible and resilient, with remote access to key applications, is especially important in these uncertain times,” said Alex Brown, CFO of 10th Magnitude. “Our award-winning Azure experts have been helping organizations to securely move to and grow within the cloud for more than a decade. With Cognizant, we will be able to offer greater scope and scale to help our clients use an open and highly-adaptable cloud computing platform to compete more effectively.”