Accenture PLC - ACN STOCK NEWS

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and SandboxAQ are expanding their partnership to address the critical need for enterprise data encryption against current and future AI and quantum threats. The collaboration introduces a new Encryption Risk Assessment service, integrated with SandboxAQ's AQtive Guard, providing deep visibility into cryptography risks across networks, file systems, and cloud applications.

This initiative responds to 52% of CEOs considering rapid tech innovation a top cybersecurity risk, with 86% rating cyber trust in emerging technologies as highly relevant. The service identifies risks in cryptographic assets, algorithms, and constructions, delivering prioritized remediation recommendations to protect infrastructure against sophisticated threats and facilitate the transition to post-quantum technology.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) has launched the Accenture AI Refinery™ framework, built on NVIDIA AI Foundry, to enable clients to create custom LLM models using the newly introduced Llama 3.1 collection. This framework aims to help enterprises build AI systems tailored to their specific business needs, potentially driving industry reinvention. The AI Refinery framework includes four key elements:

1. Domain model customization and training
2. Switchboard platform
3. Enterprise cognitive brain
4. Agentic architecture

Accenture is also using this framework to reinvent its own enterprise functions, starting with marketing and communications. The service will be available to all customers using Llama in Accenture AI Refinery, with models deployable across various cloud platforms.

Accenture's new report reveals that 96% of global organizations plan to invest over 5% of their revenues in change initiatives in the next three years, up from 31% three years ago. However, only 30% of C-suite leaders are confident in their change capabilities. The report introduces the Change Capability Quotient, a method linking change capability maturity to performance. Organizations with high-scoring change practices are 2.1x more likely to report successful transformations, achieving better returns on change investments. The research identifies six key capabilities for continuous change, but only 16% of surveyed organizations implement all six at scale. Accenture emphasizes the need for a science-backed, data-driven approach to change management as fundamental for growth, resilience, and innovation in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Camelot Management Consultants, a German SAP-focused consulting firm specializing in supply chain, data, and analytics. This acquisition aims to enhance Accenture's SAP and AI-driven supply chain capabilities, helping clients build intelligent and resilient supply chains. Camelot's expertise will bolster Accenture's ability to drive supply chain reinvention and accelerate AI adoption.

Founded in 1996, Camelot is a leading SAP partner in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, serving large and midsize companies in various industries. The acquisition will bring over 700 highly qualified professionals to Accenture, including SAP, data, and supply chain experts. This move follows Accenture's recent acquisition of Einr, a Norwegian SAP-focused company, in May 2023.

Accenture's new research reveals that organizations with an advanced digital core, strategic innovation investments, and balanced technical debt management achieved 60% higher revenue growth and 40% higher profits. The study, analyzing 1,500 technology executives across 19 industries and 10 countries, emphasizes the importance of a strong digital core for business reinvention and seizing new opportunities, especially with advancements like generative AI.

The research outlines three key tenets for a reinvention-ready digital core: 1) Build an industry-tailored advanced digital core, 2) Boost strategic innovation investments, including AI-driven systems, and 3) Balance technical debt with future investments. Accenture recommends allocating about 15% of IT budgets to remediate technical debt and maintain evergreen IT capabilities.

EVPassport, the leading EV charging network in the US, has appointed Mike Milburn to its Board of Directors. Milburn, former Chief Customer Officer at Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), brings over 20 years of leadership experience in SaaS, growth, and innovation. This appointment follows EVPassport's recent $200 million investment to accelerate its end-to-end EV charging solution.

EVPassport's innovative infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) model has enabled rapid growth across 35 states, Canada, and Mexico. The company has deployed thousands of chargers, serving over 500 enterprise customers with a 99.97% uptime. Milburn's expertise in integrating software services and infrastructure is expected to support EVPassport's mission to build the most reliable and user-friendly EV charging network.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Logic, a retail technology services firm, to enhance its retail technology transformation capabilities. Logic, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Minneapolis, brings approximately 800 professionals with specialized skills in retail-focused technical strategies. The acquisition will expand Accenture's capabilities in merchandising, stores, digital, analytics, and cloud, as well as in core technologies, platforms, and AI.

This strategic move aims to help retailers transform their organizations with technology, enabling them to navigate the evolving retail landscape more effectively. Logic currently serves over 150 retail clients worldwide from offices in 11 countries. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Cientra, a silicon design and engineering services firm, to bolster its silicon design capabilities. Cientra, established in 2015, operates from New Jersey, Germany, and multiple locations in India. The acquisition, which includes 530 engineers, aims to enhance Accenture's services in embedded IoT and application-specific integrated circuit design. This move follows Accenture's recent acquisition of Excelmax Technologies and XtremeEDA, underscoring its commitment to supporting clients in semiconductor innovation for data computing, cloud computing, and AI proliferation. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired True North Solutions, headquartered in Calgary, to enhance its capabilities in the energy sector. This acquisition will help clients in the oil, gas, and mining industries optimize operational technology (OT) and integrate it with enterprise IT systems for improved safety and efficiency. True North Solutions brings expertise in industrial engineering, including OT cybersecurity, industrial automation, and enterprise asset management. Accenture plans to leverage this expertise with advanced digital technologies like predictive maintenance and intelligent asset management. The acquisition adds 95 specialists to Accenture's Industry X service.