Cognizant acquires US consultancy firm

Nasdaq-listed IT company Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Pepperweed Advisors, the IT consulting services division of US-based Pepperweed Consulting, for an undisclosed sum.

New Jersey headquartered Cognizant, which provides consulting, technology and BPO services, has over 50 global delivery centres and over 64,000 employees and most of them are based in India.

"The acquisition brings to Cognizant's IT Infrastructure Services practice a strategic consulting capability," Cognizant said in a statement.

It had earlier acquired another US-based consultancy firm SVC and professional services firm AimNet.

Pepperweed Advisors said it uses its proprietary best practice process models and software to act as an advisor to IT companies.

Cognizant shares were up 2.31 per cent at $35.34 on Nasdaq at close on Monday.

"We welcome Pepperweed Advisors to the Cognizant fold as we strengthen our Cognizant business consulting offerings," said Cognizant president and CEO Francisco D'Souza.

Pepperweed helps to round out our ITIS consulting portfolio while enhancing our ability to serve as trusted advisors to our clients," he added.

Image: Cognizant president and CEO Francisco D'Souza.