Under the terms of the deal, Softline has taken a majority share in Embee allowing its Indian subsidiary, Softline Services India Pvt Ltd, to leverage Embee’s "expertise across cloud solutions, workplace modernisation products, system integration services, managed services and app services".
Embee is known in its native India as a digital transformation service provider and a Microsoft LSP and cloud solution partner. It employs more than 400 people and is a strategic partner of Microsoft, Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco, Adobe and others.
Embee’s business grew at an average rate of more than 30% last year and its cloud services account for about 60% of revenue while the rest comes from software licensing, systems integration services, cybersecurity solutions, ERP, HR management and other systems.
Embee MD, Sudhir Kothari, said: "Softline Group is one of Microsoft’s eight globally managed LSPs, and this partnership represents a great opportunity to expand Embee’s reach within India as well as overseas. We look forward to joining hands with Softline’s team in India to deliver a better value proposition to our clients and forge a stronger growth story together.”
The transaction is expected to be finalised within 18 months.
Roy Harding (pictured), president of Softline International, said: “Embee has one of the strongest teams driving Microsoft's cloud transformation solutions in India. Their expertise in integrating systems through hardware and software from other leading partners like Adobe, HP and Cisco will help Softline to establish itself in this market in a stronger and more established way.
"Embee is characterised by the high quality of services it offers, which has resulted in the company having excellent business relationships and an important list of clients all over India. We proudly welcome this experienced team of technology professionals to Softline’s family," Harding continued.