Enterprise, Channel partner programs

AHEAD Becomes Google Cloud Partner for VMware, Kubernetes Services

AHEAD, a major enterprise IT consulting firm and digital transformation specialist, has joined the Google Cloud Partner Advantage Program as a Sell and Service partner. Key areas of focus include assisting customers with VMware vSphere and Kubernetes workloads on Google Cloud Platform.

Take a closer look, and you'll see AHEAD focused on three Google Cloud areas:

  • Google Cloud foundations: AHEAD guides clients on best practices of Google Cloud adoption, with a focus on cost management and consultative advice for running Google Cloud efficiently, the company says.
  • Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE): As an established VMware partner, AHEAD is helping enterprise customers leverage GCVE to run VMware vSphere-based workloads on Google Cloud.
  • Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and Anthos: Leveraging Google's managed Kubernetes environment running on clients' existing on-prem hardware, as well as Google's cloud infrastructure, AHEAD helps clients transition to containerized workloads, the company says.

In a prepared statement about the Google Cloud relationship, AHEAD VP of Alliances Jamison Nack said:

“We’re thrilled to join the Google Cloud Partner Advantage Program and continue helping our clients transform using Google Cloud and adjacent ecosystems."

AHEAD Acquisitions and Business Growth

AHEAD, backed by private equity firms Centerbridge Partners LP and Berkshire Partners, has grown organically and through acquisitions. The latest acquisitions, announced September 2020, include technology solution providers and MSPs RoundTower Technologies and Kovarus.

Those deals boosted AHEAD annual revenue by about  $800 million, and AHEAD expects to generate about  $2.1 billion in annual gross revenue.  The combined company has more than 1,000 employees. Profit figures have not been disclosed.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.