Sliced Tech extends Deloitte's cloud offerings into managed services
Deloitte has extended its public sector cloud services in the managed services domain with the acquisition of Canberra-based Sliced Tech.
The consulting arm of Deloitte is already a major player in Australia’s cloud consulting and technology delivery space, both in the private and public sector. The addition of Sliced Tech now beefs up its footprint in the landscape beyond the advisory and implementation realm – into managed services.
Expanding into managed services for cloud offerings and solutions is part of Deloitte’s global strategy to become an “end-to-end cloud provider” said Adam Powick, Deloitte’s chief executive for Australia. “This is a very important transaction as it strengthens our ability to provide secure end-to-end cloud solutions for our clients and reinforces our deep commitment to supporting the needs of the federal government.”
Ellen Derrick, managing partner of the Deloitte Consulting, added, “Deloitte’s cloud managed services cover all major providers, and include cloud-based infrastructure operations, service management, cybersecurity, optimisation, and compliance support. The Sliced Tech team is security-vetted and highly skilled in delivering services to clients with very specific compliance needs. Their arrival will see us grow our managed service practice.”
Deloitte Canberra leader Phil Roberts remarked, “Operating cloud services for public sector clients involves high levels of compliance in security and data privacy, and this is where the Sliced Tech team has built a strong market presence.”
A presence in the managed services scene provides consulting firms with three main benefits: it enables them to provide a fully rounded service to clients making them a more attractive partner, it enhances the relationship with clients on the back of a longer term association and more ownership, and last but not least, it provides them with recurring and more predictable revenue streams (as opposed to more ‘unpredictable’ consulting fees).
Meanwhile, Deloitte sees opportunities to ‘export’ Sliced Tech’s expertise into other markets under its belt. “We see strong potential in leveraging their expertise for clients in other sectors, including financial services,” said Derrick.
The deal comes hot on the heels of Deloitte’s April acquisition of Canberra-founded Soda Strategic, also aimed at bolstering its skills within the cloud domain. In between, the Big Four firm also purchased PDS Group (infrastructure advisory), Paxton Partners (healthcare consulting) and Fusion Labs (strategy consulting).
The bolt-on sees Sliced Tech’s 40-strong team – primarily based in Canberra, with a presence also in Sydney and Brisbane – join Deloitte’s Cloud practice, with CEO Jason McClure becoming a Deloitte Consulting partner.
“There's a fantastic synergy between both of our capabilities. We’re really excited that we're going to continue delivering secure cloud and managed services, and that we're going to integrate with a broader ecosystem of capability that we haven't had available to us before,” said McClure.
“It’s also exciting for our people, and their professional development and the career opportunities available within a leading professional services firm.”
