The Data Driver

Rio Tinto will move to a ground breaking information systems and technology (IS&T) delivery model, partnering with Accenture to shape and deliver the transformation. The new model will migrate core enterprise IS&T systems to an “As-a-Service” solution based in the cloud. It also incorporates consumption based pricing to ensure costs are fully flexible and in line with business demand.

Star India selected Accenture to help develop, launch and deliver its over-the-air programming to India’s online, digitally-enabled consumers on almost any mobile device. Called hotstar, the innovative service debuted on January 7 through Star India’s wholly owned subsidiary, and when fully deployed will be available to India’s entire population.

In a consumer electronics world dominated by smart­phones, HDTVs, laptop computers and tablet PCs, a new market category is generating significant consumer buying interest: wearable technologies. A new Accenture (NYSE: ACN) survey (Accenture Digital Consumer Tech Survey 2014) found that more than half of consumers (52 percent) are interested in buying wearable technologies such as fitness monitors for tracking physical activity and managing their personal health. The survey of more than 6,000 people in six countries - Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- showed that many are also interested in buying smart watches (46 percent) and Internet-connected eyeglasses (42 percent).

Accenture has launched Accenture Digital, a new growth platform that integrates the company’s digital assets, software and services across digital marketing, mobility and to help clients unleash the power of digital to drive growth and create new sources of value.

An integrated, multi-year skills development program created by Accenture and the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) will mobilize 3,300 Jammu and Kashmir youth and equip them with employment skills over the next five years, providing support ranging from identifying potential students through job placement.
The program is part of the government of India’s Udaan initiative to address socio-economic development by helping young people acquire the necessary skills to work in corporate India.
“Accenture is deeply committed to contributing to India’s quest to become a high-performance nation. This engagement is another extension of our effort to shore up India’s growth prospects. We are working closely with NSDC on this important mission and are committed to the program’s success,” said Nilaya Varma, managing director of Accenture’s Health & Public Service business in India. Accenture will provide management consulting services to create training that blends tr…

Accenture is undertaking a management consulting project  to help transform the Maharashtra Government’s Department of Sales Tax to maximize revenue collection and strengthen its enforcement function. 
Accenture also will identify a service provider to upgrade the department’s technology infrastructure with the goal of increasing efficiency and updating record maintenance so historical data will be easier to access and identify.  The improvements also are expected to make it easier for taxpayers to interact with the department.

A new study from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Accenture found that private funding and public-private partnerships are helping India overcome two of the largest challenges to vocational education training: an inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of job offers. The study identifies five steps business and government can take to better support vocational trainees and helps meet India’s goal of engaging 500 million trained youth by 2022.

Vocational education training (VET) must provide prospective employees with the skills required to support the next generation of economic growth in manufacturing, retail, construction and tourism, according to the study. Addressing the rise in the number of VET trainees who do not accept job offers or leave jobs within one month of employment is critical, the research shows.