Siemens outsources business intelligence operation to Accenture

Siemens has brought in consulting and technology giant Accenture to run and maintain several of the firm’s data analytics and business intelligence services. The five-year outsourcing deal marks a significant expansion of the ongoing collaboration between the two companies.

With over 370,000 employees globally generating around €83 billion in revenues, Siemens is one of the world’s largest industrial manufacturing companies. As part of its IT vision for 2020, the Berlin and Munich headquartered company has launched a major firm-wide digital transformation agenda across its business functions and IT department.

One of the transitions being worked on is the upgrading of its data science operation. The programme will see Siemens outsource its data analytics and business intelligence function and team to Accenture, a professional services firm with nearly 460,000 people worldwide. Commenting on the collaboration, Helmuth Ludwig, CIO of Siemens said, “We need strong partners who can help us drive our digital transformation, and I look forward to working with the Accenture teams on this important engagement.” Accenture was selected on top of many of its top rivals based on the firm’s “renowned excellence in data analytics and business intelligence,” said Ludwig, as well as its “global delivery capability”. The two companies have a longstanding working relationship in 20+ geographies, spanning consulting, technology and outsourcing services. In the field of data science, Accenture has been one of Siemens’ trusted advisors for over two decades.

As part of the contract, Siemens has transferred its team of data analytics and business intelligence professionals to Accenture. Under the umbrella of their new parent, combined with Accenture’s expertise in the field, the programme will focus on the development of new analytics services and the enhancement of existing solutions and services. Technology will be at the heart of the improvements – Accenture will apply its artificial intelligence and robotic process automation capabilities among others to mature the operations. Innovation is another key area that will be worked on, with the establishment of new agile ways of working touted to advance innovation management and returns on R&D investment. 

The contract will be led by Accenture Germany, which oversees the Siemens account. Remarking on the agreement, Patrick Vollmer, a Managing Director at Accenture in Frankfurt, said, “We’re excited to be taking over Siemens’ high-performing business intelligence team, whose deep industry skills and insights will further strengthen our own capabilities. With their trust and help, we’re in an excellent position to take Siemens’ data analytics services to the next level.”