An inside look at Your.Cloud

The origin: from Score Telecom to Score Utica

Score Utica, formerly Score Telecom, began its journey in 2012. Nils started the company with Paul Stoffele, emerging from KPN’s outsource sales. In 2019, Score Telecom merged with Utica, a strategic move to bridge the gap between telecom and IT. “We saw that Telco and IT were increasingly merging,” says Nils. “We tried different strategies to transform our Telco customers into full-fledged Telco-IT customers.”

This merger was an important step, but the real transformation came in 2022, when Score Utica was acquired by Your.Cloud. Operating under the TSH name at the time, Your.Cloud provided the necessary resources and expertise to drive further growth. The reason for this acquisition was twofold: some shareholders wanted to retire, while others, including Nils and Paul, were full of energy and still had plenty of plans.

The acquisition process: from integration to optimization

Since the acquisition, Nils has been intensively involved in the further expansion of the company. After all, Score Utica served as a pioneer within Your.Cloud. “We were the first company outside the traditional Managed Service Provider (MSP) sector to be acquired,” Nils says. “We learned a lot from this experience and we now use that knowledge to optimize other companies. “In this regard, an acquisition process always starts with a thorough analysis of the target company. This includes both the operational side and the strategic vision. Your.Cloud looks at the company’s strengths and weaknesses and how they can be leveraged within the broader group.

Your.Cloud looks at the company’s strengths and weaknesses and how they can be leveraged within the broader group.

Nils explains: “In an acquisition, we first bring a lot of insight. This can be in the area of sales, finance, or customer support. From these insights we start improving.”

An important aspect of these improvements is developing playbooks. “We have a lot of learnings from previous acquisitions,” says Nils. “We translate these experiences into practical manuals that we can apply to new businesses. This allows us to make improvements quickly and efficiently.”

The blueprint of success

One of the keys to success is the sales process. Many companies have a broad customer base, but lack the resources or knowledge to further develop these customers. “The sales flywheel needs to be fueled,” Nils emphasizes. “That’s where it all starts. We have developed a blueprint based on our experiences with Score Utica, which we are now applying to other companies.”

We have developed a blueprint based on our experiences with Score Utica, which we are now applying to other companies.

This blueprint is not a static document, but a dynamic tool that is continuously updated. “We are constantly gathering new insights and applying them,” says Nils. “This allows us to work more and more efficiently and effectively.”

The human factor

Acquisitions are not only about processes and strategies, but more importantly about people. Your.Cloud strives to put the right people in the right place and nurture them with the necessary knowledge and resources. “It is important that the entrepreneur and his team stay involved,” says Nils. “We want them to make the improvements themselves and take the company to the next level.”

This decentralized model offers many advantages. “We retain the identity and strengths of the acquired company,” Nils explains. “In addition, we foster a network of like-minded people. Technical specialists have the opportunity to spar with colleagues from other companies within the group. This creates an environment of constant knowledge exchange and growth.”

Growth opportunities within Your.Cloud

Your.Cloud provides opportunities not only for the new companies, but also for their employees. Employees can advance and develop within the group. “There are many opportunities for advancement,” says Nils. “People can move from one role to another when they have reached their limits. This keeps talent within the group and encourages further development.

People can move from one role to another when they have reached their limits. This keeps talent within the group and encourages further development.

We encourage the network effect between companies. This ensures that people get new opportunities and can develop. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.” For example, Paul and Nils have both moved on to new positions within Your.Cloud themselves, and Sander Mulder recently took over their roles as Score Utica‘s new Managing Director.

Future Prospect

The future looks bright for Your.Cloud. With a long-term vision and a focus on continuous improvement, the group continues to grow and evolve. “We don’t just want to buy companies, we want to improve them,” Nils emphasizes. “It’s about creating long-term value.”

The decentralized model remains a cornerstone of this strategy. “Why change something that works well?” asks Nils rhetorically. “We provide tools and support, but the core remains the same. This ensures stability and continuity.”

Your.Cloud remains major player in IT and telecoms

Through its acquisition strategy, Your.Cloud has developed a strong formula for growth and success. By bringing insight, optimizing processes and investing in people, the group transforms good companies into even better companies. This approach provides opportunities not only for the acquired companies, but also for their employees, who can grow and develop further within the group.

With a focus on long-term growth and continuous improvement, Your.Cloud remains an important player in the IT and telecom sector. The future looks promising, and with the knowledge and experience gained, Your.Cloud will undoubtedly continue to grow and innovate.

Author: Joost Heessels – TBM, Year 20, edition 5, november 2024