Software online training tools seller PluralSight has acquired Digital-Tutors, a company that provides creative software training services. The transaction is valued at $45 million, according to TechCrunch.

PluralSight chief executive officer (CEO) Aaron Skonnard explained the rising trend in the e-learning industry: "The whole online e-learning space is going to go through quite a period of consolidation over the next several years. We can raise debt financing and we can pay for a lot of these deals with cash on the books. That's why you're seeing [consolidation] happen sooner in the skills oriented training before you're seeing it happen elsewhere."

Under the terms of the acquisition deal, the clients of both entities will now be able to access the libraries of both Digital Tutors and PluralSight without further charges. In addition, the team of Digital-Tutors will be integrated into PluralSight. Digital-Tutors founder Piyush Patel will become PluralSight's senior vice president of creative operations, the report detailed.

PluralSight is currently based in Salt Lake City. Founded in 2004 as a classroom-based training firm, the company has expanded into the online space in 2008, TechCrunch reported.