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News
Issue #2002 - 03 (January 2002)
(Updated Jan.
23, 2002)
TECHNOLOGY
Accenture and Microsoft Talk About
Shared Telematics Vision
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Microsoft
and consulting group Accenture announced their shared vision of
telematics and their joint plans to accelerate the development and
adoption of in-vehicle services.
Accenture has set up a Services Bureau for Automotive Telematics,
which will work with Microsoft Car.Net architecture and services and
products, including Windows CE for Automotive systems.
Executives painted picture of a pervasive computing landscape --
where the driver’s PC at home and at the office are synced with the
car PC; where drivers can pull stock quotes and receive
e-mail and instant messages via voice recognition, while automotive
makers work behind the scenes attending to all the details such as
number of miles driven, maintenance records and warranty guidelines.
With the telematics market forecasted to be valued at $30-billion
by 2005, automotive companies are anxious to provide customers with
telematics services. Accenture and Microsoft said they will offer a
range of services aimed at helping the industry integrate a complex
set of business partnerships and technologies by tapping into their
network of businesses.
The Accenture/Microsoft offering will allow car companies to link
customer service such as navigation and Internet access to billing and
application-hosting programs. MSN services and content via Microsoft’s
Car. NET architecture and Windows CE for Automotive technology will
initially be offered, said Bryan Mistele, general manager of Mobile
Customer Services at Microsoft.
The two companies set out their global business strategy and
infrastructure that:
- Uses scalable, flexible information technology and
Microsoft-based platforms to design, build and run applications
via a mobile network.
- Creates comprehensive networks to link in-vehicle devices and
software applications to the Internet and wireless communication
networks.
- Provides operations and support services such as billing,
application hosting, customer care, and technology support as well
as customer services to include Internet access to location-based
services.
- Delivers services including consulting on business strategy,
system design and integration.
For more information: http://www.accenture.com/xd/xd.asp?it=enweb&xd=_dyn/dynamicpressrelease_413.xml
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: Both
Microsoft and Accenture are seriously interested in Telematics for the
long haul. Microsoft has obvious interest in promoting its .NET
(Windows CE incarnation) being the embedded OS of choice in every car
and Accenture is interested in systems integration where big service
opportunities are. We do not think and would not want it to be an
exclusive partnership because Telematics is bigger than .NET in scope,
penetration and complexity. Accenture has good systems integration
expertise - therefore, it is a smart move. The duo may provide a
competitive counterbalance to IBM's global services. We endorse a
partnership when major players make a serious commitment to a major
market. Therefore, Microsoft's soft(ware) dollars and Accenture's
brains make it a win-win relationship.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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