In a Thursday announcement, mobile services firm Synchronoss Technologies revealed that it has acquired cloud-based services provider NewBay from BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM), in a $55.5 million deal.

The acquisition of Ireland-headquartered NewBay by Synchrocross - in a deal which was much below the $100 million which RIM had paid for the company - will chiefly help the mobile services firm in expanding its cloud-based services.

With the cloud-based services offered by NewBay primarily enabling its clients in storing, sharing and delivering different kinds of content - including photo albums, social networking and other data - via mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, the acquisition of the company will allow Synchronoss to access to NewBay's European customers as well.

While the US customers of the company include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular; its European customers include Orange, Vodafone Group, and Swisscom AG. In addition, NewBay also works with LG Electronics and Telstra in Asia.

Given the fact that Synchronoss helps companies in managing the activation, synchronization and management of connected devices, the company's CEO Stephen Waldis said in a statement about the NewBay acquisition: "We believe that the combination of NewBay and Synchronoss will further ensure the success of the significant cloud services launch being prepared at Verizon Wireless, which remains on schedule."