Solution Providers Unite: Advantix Acquires TeraNova's Managed Mobility Practice

Two solution providers are joining forces to launch a first-of-its-kind mobility and Internet of Things company for fellow solution providers looking to break into the emerging field.

Advantix Solutions Group, which offers telecom auditing and mobility management, has acquired TeraNova Consulting Group's managed mobility business, the two companies said Wednesday.

The combination will create a third company -- called iXtera -- focused on mobility and Internet of Things solutions, Nathan Brown, co-founder and chief operating officer of Advantix, told CRN.

TeraNova manages and supports mobile and fixed technology solutions for end customers. The company also specializes in telecom expense management for wireless solutions. An industry peer of Advantix, TeraNova was an attractive firm to join forces with on its IoT efforts because of its focus on the channel and because the two companies were aligned on their vision around the opportunities in the emerging IoT space, he said.

Financial terms of the merger were not disclosed.

Advantix, an 18-year-old solution provider based in Richardson, Texas, entered the IoT space two years ago when it invested in a strong equity position with Thinaer, an IoT platform provider. The sole reason that Advantix and TeraNova decided to create a brand-new, additional company around IoT and mobility management specifically is because the industry is so new and it's still a nebulous concept for many solution providers, who don't know where to begin in building their own practices, Brown said. That's were iXtera comes in.

iXtera, which will be launched in the fall, will integrate Advantix’s fixed and wireless expense management and help-desk competencies with TeraNova’s expertise in managed mobility and telecom expense management. The aim of the company is to help solution providers integrate and implement mobility, IoT, and telecom expense management solutions for their business customers.

"This space has always been auxiliary services to what partners have been offering, whereas now partners are wanting to lead with mobility, expense management and IoT services," Brown said. "iXtera will give partners one place for these three spaces so they can execute a strategy to put sound solutions in place for their customers."

Natasha Royer Coons, co-founder and managing director of San Diego-based TeraNova, agrees that there's a big need in the market for end-to-end IoT solutions, as well as mobility and expense management tied to IoT.

"If you leave IoT behind, you might open it up to another competitor," Coons said. "But at the same time, partners can't spend all their time on new and emerging areas. We have to make it easy."

iXtera will become the channel face for the two companies. TeraNova's Coons will serve as iXtera's CEO, leading the new company's channel management team.

"We knew we needed to bring someone in as a leader who could propel the channel forward from a revenue growth and partnership perspective," Brown said.

Both companies will continue to operate under their own names, serving partners and end customers in their existing areas of expertise. Coons will still serve as managing director of TeraNova, and TeraNova will retain its wireless network management and smart SIM solutions business.