Gage Builds Stronger Louisiana Tech Platform via Acquisition of Data Management Services

In a strategic move to scale both service depth and geographic coverage, Gage - a Baton Rouge-based technology solutions provider - has officially acquired Data Management Services, Inc. (DMS), a managed IT services firm in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The merger, effective September 1, 2025, strengthens Gage’s role as a full-service MSP in South Louisiana and builds on a longstanding partnership between the two companies.

Deal Summary

Acquirer: Gage, with over 45 years of history in providing integrated IT, cloud voice, cybersecurity, and standby power systems.

Target: Data Management Services, Inc. (DMS), a Thibodaux-based managed IT services company founded in 1986 by Marc J. Boudreaux.

Strategic Rationale: Gage aims to offer DMS clients an expanded portfolio, including its cloud voice product (VoIP), 24/7 managed IT, advanced cybersecurity, structured cabling, and generator-backup power systems.

Location and Continuity: Gage will keep operating from DMS’s Thibodaux office to minimize disruption and preserve local relationships.

People: All DMS employees, including founder Marc Boudreaux, are retained. Boudreaux will help lead clients through the transition to Gage’s broader service offerings.

Customer Impact: Existing DMS customers will maintain uninterrupted support while gaining access to Gage’s wider capabilities.

Industry Context

This transaction is emblematic of a mature trend in the MSP market: consolidation driven by demand for integrated technology offerings - combining core IT, voice, security, and business continuity. Many regional MSPs are merging with local competitors to build scale, deepen expertise, and cross-sell complementary services.

For businesses, partnering with a single provider that can manage infrastructure, communications, security, and backup power makes it easier to coordinate technology strategy and operations. For MSPs, acquiring firms with strong local footprint and deep customer trust is a way to grow without eroding service quality.

Lower-Middle-Market Roll-Up Perspective

From the perspective of platform building through M&A, Gage’s acquisition of DMS illustrates several key dynamics:

• Strategic Capability Expansion: Rather than just increasing headcount, Gage has acquired a tech partner whose managed IT services and long-term customer relationships add real value.
• Preserving Local Trust: By retaining DMS’s office and staff, Gage maintains the close, community-based client relationships that have made DMS successful.
• Cross-Sell Potential: DMS customers now get access to cloud voice (VoIP), structured cabling, power generation, and security - enabling Gage to offer more holistic solutions.
• Scalable Growth: Through this acquisition, Gage can scale its managed-services infrastructure while maintaining local responsiveness.
• Long-Term Vision: This isn’t just a buyout for volume - it’s a way to strengthen Gage’s platform in South Louisiana with trusted talent, local presence, and an expanded service portfolio.

Why This Sector Is Attractive for Roll-Ups

• Fragmented Local Markets: Many strong MSPs operate regionally; acquiring them offers platforms a way to deepen coverage and cross-sell.
• Recurring, High-Margin Services: Managed IT, security, voice, and backup power generate predictable, recurring revenue.
• Value of Local Presence: Clients in areas like South Louisiana value MSPs who understand local business, geography, and risks (e.g., power outages, hurricanes).
• Ability to Differentiate: Platforms that deliver more than just IT - by integrating communications, cabling, and continuity - differentiate themselves meaningfully.
• Growth Backed by Capital: MSPs with capital backing can execute buy-and-build strategies to combine local expertise with scalable offerings.

Conclusion

Gage’s acquisition of Data Management Services is a strategically coherent move that strengthens its position as a trusted, full-spectrum technology provider in South Louisiana. It reflects a broader platform play: combining regional strength with deep technical capability to serve clients more comprehensively.

For MSP operators and founders, this deal underscores the appeal of partnering with a like-minded, growth-oriented firm that values local relationships. For investors, it reinforces that consolidating established, service-focused MSPs - particularly in regionally important markets - remains a compelling play in the managed services M&A landscape.