HR Tech Consultancy Knowledge Infusion Acquired by Appirio

First news today out of the annual HR Technology conference here in Chicago is pretty significant, and it points to still more consolidation in the HR technology space: Knowledge Infusion, the well-known, technology-focused human capital consultancy, has been acquired by global technology services provider Appirio.

Founded in 2006, Appirio says that it’s mission is “to help enterprises power their business with the cloud.” The company says it has since helped more than 400 enterprises use cloud providers like Workday, Salesforce.com and Google to improve core business processes from HR and financials to sales, service and marketing.

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but once the acquisition of Knowledge Infusion is final, which is expected next month (November 2012), “the combined company will bring to bear nearly 600 strategy and technology experts on three continents, a global crowdsourcing developer community, and an integrated suite of applications, assets and analytics that ensure the best outcome for transformation initiatives,” according to an Appirio press release.

“A fundamental shift”

Longtime Knowledge Infusion CEO Jason Averbrook, who will become Appirio’s Chief Business Innovation Officer after the acquisition is complete, said in a press release about the deal,

Like Appirio, we saw a fundamental shift happening in how companies did business, how the workforce was changing, and the inability for traditional service providers to help business leaders adapt to that shift. Appirio’s track record of innovation, their disruptive services model and culture make it a perfect home for Knowledge Infusion. We’re excited to work together to help organizations move beyond traditional HR and deliver on the full potential of people at work.”

In another message posted on Knowledge Infusion’s website, Averbrook added this:

When we founded Knowledge Infusion in 2005, it was based on the simple premise of helping the HR industry improve its strategic value to business by leveraging the right technology. In the seven years since, our mission to help organizations worldwide achieve their vision has never wavered. We work daily to be a valued, trusted partner and advisor to our clients by providing the best end-to-end, value-based services while maintaining a customer-for-life mindset. Since 2005, we have grown our customer base to nearly 350 enterprises, representing over 16 million employees across all continents. We have delivered new products and services to ensure our customers continue to innovate, even as the world around us changes at warp speed.

Today, we are excited to announce that we have signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Appirio, a leader in helping organizations transform their business by leveraging cloud-based technologies. Appirio has long been a company we have admired for its innovative and fresh approach. In today’s world, where technology is changing and business is being asked to innovate faster than ever before, strategy cannot be separated from deployment and technology. Appirio understands this and is transforming how businesses work.”

KI provided services to 350 clients

“We have always considered cloud, social and mobile not just technology, but engines for business transformation,” said Chris Barbin, CEO of Appirio, in the company press release announcing the deal. “By combining forces with Knowledge Infusion, a recognized expert in people-focused processes, we can help business, HR and IT leaders develop the right strategy to ensure they engage employees as effectively as they would customers. That strategy, supported by the right technological innovation, can optimize how work gets done at a time when people’s expectations and motivations have drastically changed because of the consumerization of technology.”

Started in 2005, Knowledge Infusion “has provided core HR, talent acquisition, talent management and social collaboration consulting services to more than 350 clients, including organizations like Amgen, Best Buy, Campbell’s, Dell, Hertz, Merck, Nationwide, Novo Nordisk, Starbucks and Target,” according to the company’s press release. “The company’s end-to-end services model, on-demand subscription advisory services, and focus on customer success has made it one of the fastest growing HR technology consultancies in the world. In addition to its advisory work, Knowledge Infusion has become a trusted deployment partner of Workday, SuccessFactors, and Salesforce.com’s Work.com.”