TDS complements its cloud, managed service portfolio with Vital Support Systems acquisition

TDS (NYSE: TDS) is once again going to the acquisition well to expand its data center and cloud portfolio by striking a deal for Des Moines-based Vital Support Systems.

With its $45 million acquisition of the Vital Support Systems, TDS' hosted and managed services (HMS) group will gain further hosted and managed IT service capabilities in addition to established relationships with large business customers.

Vital appears to be a profitable company, having generated annual revenues of $76 million in 2011.

For Madison, Wis.-based TDS HMS, Vital has extended its footprint not only into Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, Iowa, but also other Midwest markets, including Omaha, Kansas City, Mo., and Rockford, Ill.  

Building a cloud and data center through acquisition is nothing new for TDS HMS. The service provider acquired three other IT and managed service providers over the past two years: OneNeck IT Services in June 2011; VISI Incorporated in March 2010; and TEAM Technologies, LLC in Dec. 2010.

TDS HMS appears to be taking a non-disruptive approach with this latest deal. In addition to retaining Vital's current management team, including the company's current CEO Jeff Sparling and executive team, it will retain the company's existing 140 employees.

For more:
- see the release

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