Accenture Buys 70-Person Spanish Firm to Bolster Open-Source Digital Capabilities

Accenture has acquired Madrid-based Tecnilógica, an open-source technology specialist, in a move that bolsters the systems integrator's capabilities around developing omni-channel retail platforms for mobile, web, touchscreens, wearables and IoT-enabled devices.

With the acquisition, Accenture - No. 2 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500 - will gain 70 employees, including open-source specialists who will bring the ’latest technologies to deliver multi-device solutions to clients,’ Jose Luis Sancho, Accenture Digital lead for Iberia, said in a statement.

Accenture intends to combine Tecnilogica's capabilities with the design and innovation skills of the company's Fjord service, part of Accenture Interactive. By doing so, ’we can help our clients in Spain and the rest of Europe take advantage of an end-to-end digital technology value chain – from ideation to operation,’ he said.

[Related: Growing Accenture Targets More Acquisitions]

The acquisition will leave the company better prepared to build omni-channel platforms for its retail business clients, according to Accenture, and provide a cohesive shopping experience spanning multiple devices for clients ranging in size from large multinational companies to startups.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The company did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.

The acquisition of Tecnilógica will also expand Accenture’s digital signage capabilities in Spain, according to the company, which it predicts will become an important tool as the Internet of Things grows by enabling multiple users to interact with content at any given time.

’We pride ourselves on building truly innovative technological solutions for digital interfaces and devices, bringing ideas from the imagination of marketing teams to life on digital screens of all shapes and sizes," Jorge Gutierrez, CEO of Tecnilogica, said in a statement. "We look forward to joining Accenture Digital to help even more organizations provide the very best digital transformations for their customers.’

This acquisition is Accenture’s seventh since the start of the calendar year and the fourth that focuses on expanding its digital services for the retail space.

This deal with Tecnilógica builds on Accenture’s acquisition of Netherlands-based digital services company Mobgen last week, its purchase of Germany-based retail digital transformation consultancy dgroup in June, and its acquisition of a majority stake in Japanese digital services company IMJ in April.

Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme said during an earnings call last month that the company is aggressively pushing into new technologies. "I'm very pleased with the momentum that we are creating," he said.

Nanterme called the investments "the right growth strategy," and said those keeping tabs on the company can expect to see more, stating that Accenture's "appetite" for growth will include "relevant acquisitions.’

Digital, cloud and security-related services accounted for about 40 percent of Accenture's revenue in the third quarter, which ended May 31, and delivered strong double-digit growth. While those sectors will continue to be areas of focus, Nanterme said Accenture is also considering potential acquisitions in the growing field of artificial intelligence.