This is one of the more unusual mergers on the surface but it does make sense. The 451 Group, a market research and analysis organization, has acquired The Uptime Institute, a consultancy and think tank that is focused specifically on datacenter efficiency and reliability. Both firms are privately-held, and terms were not disclosed.
Usually analyst firms go for broad-based or general purpose firms, but 451 seems to have datacenters on the mind. It also bought Tier 1 Research in 2005, which also focuses on the datacenter.
Uptime founder Kenneth Brill is one of the more well-known experts on datacenter issues and is frequently quoted in the tech press (including us). In his new role, he will be a global spokesman for the organization.
“We are delighted to welcome Ken, Pitt and the 25 other staff of Uptime to join the 85-plus professional staff here at The 451 Group,” said Martin V. McCarthy, CEO of The
451 Group in a statement. “The Uptime Institute has a global reputation for integrity, independence and innovation in the areas of datacenter availability – uptime – and IT energy efficiency.
“Particularly now, when the promise of cloud computing can obscure the criticality and vulnerability of physical infrastructure, The Uptime Institute plays a unique role for all organizations for which full-time availability of mission-critical facilities is paramount. The Institute’s database of over 4,000 facility ‘gotchas’ and its comparative benchmarking help users make sound management decisions involving risk and millions in cost,” McCarthy continued.
Uptime recently added a professional services business to advise datacenter managers, and 451 seems particularly keen on it. “Uptime Institute Professional Services eagerly anticipates reaching all industries and regions with services defined by technical rigor and long-term operations focus,” said Uptime Executive Director Pitt Turner in a statement.