Accenture opens IoT centre in Singapore
Accenture has opened its Internet of Things Centre of Excellence for Resources in Singapore, with Rio Tinto as its first client. The Centre will help  agriculture, forestry, metals, mining, oil and gas, chemicals and utilities companies keep up with the rapidly changing world of IoT. The centre will employ over 30 researchers and forge collaborations with universities. 

Agriculture, Forestry, Metals, Mining, Oil and Gas, Chemicals and Utilities Industries to Benefit.

Accenture has opened an Internet of Things Centre of Excellence for Resources in Singapore to 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.

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.

Rachael Bartels, Natural Resources global industry managing director for Accenture, said:

“As a robust international trade hub and base for some of the world’s top commodities producers, shippers and logistical supply chain firms, Singapore is uniquely placed for companies to use technologies to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies and productivity gains, and more importantly, to generate new revenue streams.”

Jean-Marc Ollagnier, chief executive of Accenture’s Resources operating group, emphasised:

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

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 visualization, IOT security and business integration. 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.

Rio Tinto group CIO Simon Benney said:

“Rio Tinto has a strong history of developing world-class innovation to improve safety and productivity across our global operations. It is part of our DNA. The speed of innovation and the adoption of technology in our business is the key to competitive advantage and being a leader in the mining industry. We look forward to the Rio Tinto innovation hub bringing new business insights from a broad range of information systems and technology (IS&T)-driven technologies developed by Accenture and its ecosystem into our business. The ongoing innovation agenda in RioTinto, led by the Technology and Innovation group, will be supported by the new centre to continue to drive IS&T-enabled productivity improvements. Rio Tinto is committed to a long-term investment in technology through our Mine of the Future™ programme, and in the talented and well-trained workforce needed to develop, plan, build and operate technological innovation.”

Yeoh Keat Chuan, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), welcomed the centre as a significant milestone for the EDB and Accenture, adding:

“We are delighted that Accenture has established its first global Internet of Things Centre of Excellence for Resources in Singapore. Today, Singapore is already Asia’s largest commodity trading hub, conducting key trading, financing and supply chain management activities. 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.”