Accenture Expands Digital Reinvention Ecosystem with Two Major Acquisitions in North America

By Sudipto Ghosh On Aug 10, 2018

Accenture Expands Industry X.0 Capabilities with Acquisition of Mindtribe and Pillar Technology

Barely a month since launching the Innovation Hub in metro Detroit, leading technology consultancy firm and enabler, Accenture has decided to make larger inroads into digital journey activation. The company has announced that it is buying hardware engineering firm Mindtribe, in addition to revealing an intent to acquire embedded software company, Pillar Technology. The two companies would boost Accenture’s ability to help companies innovate smart, connected software and hardware products for better-connected infrastructure around smart-vehicle and other embedded software capabilities. Steve Myers and his leadership team will continue to lead Mindtribe’s business and take on additional responsibilities for Accenture Industry X.0 in North America.

Accenture Leads in Digital Reinvention Era with Powerful Hardware and Reimagined Embedded Software Capabilities

Post-acquisition, Accenture’s innovation hub in metro Detroit would be better equipped to deliver on its promises od digital reinventions. The hub is designed to help companies in the automotive, industrial equipment, technology, energy and utility industries address the shift to digital products and services; transform their engineering, manufacturing, and field operations; and digitize their enterprises – which Accenture calls Industry X.0. Additionally, the company will add 200 highly skilled technology jobs to the local market by the end of 2020.

Connected Car — Accenture Innovation X.0 Hub

Accenture is expanding its vision on Industry X.0 practice, significantly bolstering its ability to help companies redefine connected software and physical products as lines increasingly blur between the physical and digital world. These acquisitions follow the recent launch of Accenture’s Industry X.0 innovation hub in metro Detroit, its acquisition of Boston-based product design and innovation firm, Altitude, and the acquisition of strategic design consultancy,designaffairs.

Mindtribe and Pillar Would Help Accenture Reach New Heights in the US and Globally

Steve Myers, CEO of Mindtribe, said, “Mindtribe has always sought to build groundbreaking connected products and services, and we are proud to be behind some of the world’s most high-profile product successes. Now, 20 years after the foundation of Mindtribe, the most exciting part of our journey is still ahead of us, and we are looking forward to moving ahead as part of the Accenture Industry X.0 team.”

Bob Myers, CEO of Pillar Technology, said, “Our ambition is to provide the best possible software — embedded or connected – at lightning speed. We focus on value and fast feedback loops that put user experience at the forefront. Joining Accenture‘s Industry X.0 practice will allow us to bring this focus on speed-to-value to even more clients. We’re excited to be a part of how Industry X.0 will help clients reach new heights in the U.S. and globally.”

As an area that represents significant growth opportunities for clients, Accenture is focused on strengthening its capabilities in Industry X.0 globally. For example, Accenture recently launched a new Industry X.0 innovation hub in metro Detroit, acquired Boston-based product design and innovation firm Altitude, and completed its acquisition of strategic design consultancy designaffairs.

Mindtribe’s San Francisco office and team offer all interdisciplinary skills and physical hardware engineering equipment that clients need to build connected products from concept through production.

Pillar Technology will add a unique approach, called “The Forge,” that brings together business strategists, creatives, developers, and clients to collaborate on solving business problems in a no-constraints, innovative environment.

Mindtribe was founded in 1998. Its expertise and services include mechanical and electrical engineering, embedded software development, product realization and rapid prototyping.

Products Are No Longer Simply Physical Things; New-Age Intelligent Systems are Taking Over

At the time of this announcement, Mike Sutcliff, Group Chief Executive, Accenture Digital. “Products are no longer simply physical things – they are evolving to be connected platforms that are powered by artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cloud and edge computing.”

Mike added, “With our Industry X.0 capabilities, we are helping our clients create the products of the future with the required expertise in digital technologies, software development, product engineering, as well as user experience and product design. These acquisitions will fuel our drive to become a leader in developing connected products and services.”

Accenture acquired SF-based hardware engineering firm, Mindtribe, which focuses on creating innovative connected hardware that is tightly integrated with digital services. The company has created class-leading technology products for many iconic brands and high-tech companies.

Connected Products Central to Accenture’s Customer-Centric Innovations

Additionally, Accenture entered into an agreement to buy Ohio-based smart embedded software company, Pillar Technology, which boasts more than 20 years of experience in the rapid/agile development of high-quality and user-friendly embedded software used in smart, connected products such as autonomous vehicles.

Both companies will play a pivotal role in extending Accenture’s capabilities to rapidly co-create, prototype and launch smart, connected products and services – an area that presents a significant opportunity for business growth to Accenture and its clients, globally.

Accenture Industry X.0 helps industrial, high-tech, software, automotive, energy and utility companies address the shift to digital products and services, transform their engineering, manufacturing and field operations, and digitize their enterprises.

Accenture’s Industry X.0 Launchpad to Co-Create, Prototype and Operate Connected Products and Services

Julie Sweet, Accenture’s Chief Executive Officer, North America, added, “Our investment in innovation is an investment in our clients. These acquisitions follow the opening of our new Industry X.0 innovation hub in metro Detroit, further expanding our capabilities to help companies across a range of industries rapidly co-create, prototype and launch connected products and services to unlock new revenue streams and business models.”

The Mindtribe team will work hand in hand with Accenture’s Industry X.0 team and professionals from Accenture Interactive’s San Francisco Fjord studio, which received a talent boost with Fjord’s acquisition of design & innovation firm MATTER last year. Mindtribe and MATTER have previously collaborated on the invention of Well, a smart home water conservation system.

More on Pillar Technology

Pillar Technology was founded in 1996. It offers rapid and agile development and testing of enterprise-grade applications, software products and platforms associated with physical products, and digital services engineering for hardware products.

Upon closing, Bob Myers will continue to be responsible for the Pillar Technology business. In addition, he will lead Accenture Industry X.0’s smart products & embedded solutions practice. His leadership team is expected to continue in their roles and support Pillar Technology’s integration into Accenture Industry X.0.

More on Industry X.0 Innovation Center

The metro Detroit innovation hub includes a new, state-of-the-art Industry X.0 Innovation Center in Livonia, Michigan, designed to help clients explore, co-create, test and scale digital solutions that improve product development, engineering, manufacturing, customer experience and cybersecurity. Clients will also be able to develop and prototype new capabilities to see how an idea could work in practice.

The hub in Metro Detroit is Accenture’s newest U.S. innovation hub and the eighth in a network that includes Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Houston; New York; San Jose, California; and Washington, D.C., as well as more than 100 Accenture innovation locations around the world.

As part of Accenture’s plan to add 200 highly skilled tech jobs in high-growth areas such as digital, cloud and security services, the company will relocate its metro Detroit office from Southfield to downtown Detroit this fall.

“Accenture is a global leader in innovation and technology, and its decision to invest in Michigan – and here in metro Detroit – is further evidence that we are a top choice for businesses and that the revitalization of our economy is stronger than ever,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Accenture employs more than 850 people in metro Detroit and works with companies in the region across the automotive, consumer goods and services, education, health, insurance and retail industries. Earlier this year, the company acquired Mackevision, a leading global producer of 3D-enabled and immersive product content, and Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, a content-focused leader in integrated marketing, cross-channel strategy development and creative execution that specializes in several industries including automotive.