Accenture Acquires ClearEdge to Help Clients Better Manage Digital Transformation Spend

Rhea-AI Summary

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired ClearEdge Partners, specializing in procurement spend management, to enhance client management of digital transformation spending. Although transaction terms are undisclosed, ClearEdge’s methodologies and expertise in IT spend management are expected to integrate with Accenture’s SynOps platform, yielding cost savings and increased value for clients. With IT spending projected to reach $4.1 trillion in 2021, Accenture aims to assist clients in capitalizing on their investments and mitigating losses estimated at 30% due to licensing complexities.

Positive

• Acquisition of ClearEdge enhances Accenture's procurement capabilities.
• Expected integration with SynOps platform for increased insights and cost savings.
• IT spending projected to increase, creating opportunities for growth.

Negative

• Transaction details undisclosed, leading to uncertainty about financial impact.
• Potential integration challenges with ClearEdge's systems and processes.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired ClearEdge Partners, a firm specializing in procurement spend management, to help clients better manage their digital transformation spend. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ClearEdge brings proprietary methodologies, solutions and deep expertise in information technology (IT) spend management and software asset management. These capabilities combined with Accenture’s SynOps platform will give Accenture the ability to extend insights and purchasing expertise to help clients generate cost savings and extract greater value out of existing IT investments.

Expanding digital transformation agendas continue to drive rising IT spending among enterprise organizations. An industry forecast by Gartner® projects worldwide IT spending to reach $4.1 trillion by the end of 2021, up 8.4% from 2020^[1]. However, Accenture estimates that as much as 30% of value from IT spending gets lost to licensing complexities and lack of spending controls.

“While the pandemic accelerated the speed of digital adoption, organizations are now at an inflection point where sustaining growth will be defined by those that create value faster and maximize the impact of those investments,” said Manish Sharma, group chief executive of Accenture Operations. “We’re delighted to welcome ClearEdge to our team, adding significant IT category expertise to our procurement business while extending our ability to deliver value for clients.”

Headquartered in the Boston area, ClearEdge brings approximately 100 professionals to Accenture Operations, as well as deep category expertise, advanced analytics and software asset management. It also provides advisory, sourcing support and spend optimization services to help clients improve supplier negotiations and better manage IT spend.

Jack Garrahan, co-founder and chief executive officer of ClearEdge, added: “Since starting ClearEdge 15 years ago, we’ve built unrivaled expertise and capabilities for helping clients maximize the value of their digital transformation spend. Together with Accenture, our shared vision of the future and combined capabilities will accelerate our ambition and enable us to have an even bigger impact.”

About Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 624,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “positioned,” “outlook” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Accenture’s business and operations, and the extent to which it will continue to do so and its impact on the company’s future financial results are uncertain; Accenture’s results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company’s clients’ businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture’s business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company’s services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company’s results of operations; if Accenture is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company’s business, the utilization rate of the company’s professionals and the company’s results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key alliance partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company’s results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture’s profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture’s level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; Accenture might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders’ ownership interest in the company; as a result of Accenture’s geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue to expand in its key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture’s business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture’s global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accenture’s work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture’s services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture’s results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” heading in Accenture plc’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture’s expectations.

^[1] Gartner Press Release, Gartner Forecasts Worldwide IT Spending to Reach $4 Trillion in 2021, April 7, 2021 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211109005479/en/

Jenn Francis

Accenture

+1 630 338 6426

jennifer.francis@accenture.com

Source: Accenture

FAQ

What is the significance of Accenture's acquisition of ClearEdge Partners?

The acquisition aims to enhance Accenture's capabilities in procurement spend management and improve client spending during digital transformations.

How will the ClearEdge acquisition impact Accenture's services?

ClearEdge's methodologies will integrate with Accenture's SynOps platform to deliver cost savings and better manage IT investments.

What were the terms of the acquisition deal for ClearEdge Partners?

The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

What is the projected IT spending growth mentioned in the press release?

Gartner projects worldwide IT spending to reach $4.1 trillion by the end of 2021.

What challenges might Accenture face after acquiring ClearEdge?

Integration challenges and potential disruption in operations could pose risks post-acquisition.