Accenture opens IoT centre in Singapore

By Digital News Asia September 25, 2015

Agriculture, forestry, O&G, chemicals, utilities and other industries to benefit
Will also focus on intelligent connected devices and the Industrial IoT

ACCENTURE has opened an Internet of Things (IoT) Centre of Excellence for Resources in Singapore, which the company said would help companies transform their businesses through a combination of “deep industry experience and innovative technologies.”

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board, the centre will house an innovation hub for Rio Tinto, which will be the centre’s foundation client, Accenture said in a statement.

The centre will help agriculture, forestry, metals, mining, oil and gas, chemicals and utilities companies to capitalise on innovation and new digital services and business models.

It will also focus on intelligent connected devices and machines that comprise the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

READ ALSO: Manufacturers need a long-term view of IoT: Gartner

“As resources industries navigate commodity price cycles and challenges around talent shortages and rising production costs, digital technology provides a way to gain competitive advantage,” said Jean-Marc Ollagnier, chief executive of Accenture’s Resources operating group.

“This is the reason the centre is here, to help customers navigate any type of business cycle and pursue long-term growth,” he added.

The centre will employ more than 30 researchers, scientists and engineers with deep experience in industry and technology domain areas including machine learning, cognitive computing, IoT sensor telemetry, advanced machine-human visualisation, IoT security and business integration, Accenture said in its statement.

Through the centre, Accenture plans to hone the skills of up-and-coming leaders and collaborate with knowledge partners including universities, research institutes and technology companies in Singapore, it added.

“Today, Singapore is already Asia’s largest commodity trading hub, conducting key trading, financing and supply chain management activities,” said Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) managing director Yeoh Keat Chuan.

“Accenture’s centre of excellence will further deepen the presence of resource companies here by helping them harness IoT capabilities and develop new technology solutions.

This will generate exciting career opportunities for Singaporean digital researchers, scientists and engineers,” he added.