Accenture Completes Acquisition of OPS Rules, Enhances Its Machine Learning and Operations Analytics Capabilities for Clients

NEW YORK & WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Accenture ACN has completed its acquisition of OPS Rules, a boutique analytics consulting company that specializes in the application of data science to create supply chain and operations analytics solutions. The acquisition enhances Accenture's machine learning and operations analytics capabilities that can be used to develop innovative and transformational solutions for clients across industries.

In addition to joining Accenture Analytics, OPS Rules will be a part of Accenture's Data Science Center of Excellence (CoE), a global innovation team that focuses on solving immediate and complex client problems through advanced analytics approaches, including machine and deep learning. While in the CoE, OPS Rules will be focused on developing pioneering analytics solutions that can help clients to establish more effective supply chain and manufacturing operations.

OPS Rules' data science experts – which includes David Simchi-Levi, a Professor of Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and renowned supply chain and operations analytics expert – have experience in applying machine learning and optimization techniques to provide multi-echelon inventory optimization, custom supply chain analytics, supply chain risk management and dynamic pricing services.

"Our clients are increasingly asking us for innovative analytics solutions that involve advanced techniques like machine learning, so they can find new ways to experiment with their data and skillfully maneuver ahead of the competition," said Narendra Mulani, chief analytics officer, Accenture Analytics. "The addition of OPS Rules' sophisticated talent and David Simchi-Levi's decades of operations analytics experience will expand our end-to-end analytics capabilities and enhance our ability to leverage machine learning techniques and optimize business operations for clients around the globe."

Accenture Analytics takes an issue-led, outcome-focused and industry-specialized approach to addressing its clients' analytics needs. Additional details on Accenture Analytics can be found here.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world's largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 373,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Analytics, part of Accenture Digital, helps clients to use analytics and artificial intelligence to drive actionable insights, at scale. Accenture Analytics applies sophisticated algorithms, data engineering and visualization to extract business insights and help clients turn those insights into actions that drive tangible outcomes—to improve their performance and disrupt their markets. With deep industry and technical experience, Accenture Analytics provides services and solutions that include, but are not limited to: analytics-as-a-service through the Accenture Insights Platform, continuous intelligent security, machine learning, and IoT Analytics. For more information, follow us @ISpeakAnalytics and visit www.accenture.com/analytics.

About OPS Rules

OPS Rules has been serving clients in the supply chain analytics and operations consulting areas for over four years. The firm focuses on supply chain and operations analytics that transform complex supply chains for competitive advantage and significant performance gains. The firm transfers these competencies so clients can become data driven through analytics and realize significant savings and performance results.

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. 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Accenture's profitability could suffer if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful, and the company may not be able to improve its profitability through improvements to cost-management to the degree it has done in the past; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture might not be successful at identifying, acquiring or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's Global Delivery Network is increasingly concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in the company's treatment as an Irish company, could have a material adverse effect on the company's results of operations and financial condition; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to Accenture's relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company's results of operations; Accenture's services or solutions could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company might lose its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others; if Accenture is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; many of Accenture's contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company's revenues and impact its margins; if Accenture is unable to collect its receivables or unbilled services, the company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows 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.

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