High-tech, high-touch firms merge operations

FORT COLLINS — Two well-established Fort Collins consulting firms have joined forces to outsource both technical and organizational consultants to companies undergoing change.

Managed Systems Solutions, an experienced information-technology consulting firm, and The People Business, a human-resources consulting firm, have merged to form Managed Business Solutions LLC.

The new 80-person firm will offer solutions on both fronts to a growing number of companies that choose to outsource for those services, said Jim Franzen, founder of Managed Systems Solutions and president of the new firm.

“Over the past 10 years there’s been a strong push for companies to focus on their core competencies and…