SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - Nov 9, 2011) - Avanade®, a global business technology solutions and managed services provider, today announced a new strategic relationship with Microsoft® to develop and deploy enterprise solutions and services for Windows® Phone.
As part of the agreement, Microsoft will collaborate with Avanade to develop business applications and solutions to enhance business productivity and drive adoption of the Windows Phone platform. The two companies will also work closely with Accenture Mobility Services to develop new mobile enterprise solutions. As an additional investment, Avanade is building "Windows Phone Centers of Excellence" in the United States, Europe, China and India to foster innovations that address the specific needs of enterprises, mobile operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
Ian Jordan, Avanade executive vice president, said, "Microsoft's strength in consumer, enterprise solutions and cloud services positions it well to create a compelling mobile offering to empower a new generation of consumers and organizations. Today's announcement will stimulate innovation in mobility, leading to new services and solutions to create greater value for mobile customers."
With its "Windows Phone Centers of Excellence," Avanade will bring a dedicated workforce of specialists to build and deliver enterprise offerings on the Windows Phone platform. Additionally, Avanade will develop consumer applications for the Windows Phone Marketplace and specific business applications to meet enterprise needs. Avanade will also enable unique business productivity functionality by integrating Microsoft Dynamics®, Microsoft SharePoint® and Microsoft Lync™ into the mobile platform.
Rapid innovations in mobile technology, applications on mobile devices and pervasive connectivity are fueling the consumerization of IT. This has fostered a change in business culture and is creating a major shift in the enterprise as employees seek more control over which devices, services and applications they can access and use for work while companies attempt to securely manage multiple platforms.
Paul Bryan, senior director, Windows Phone Division at Microsoft, said, "Businesses are requesting a new wave of mobile solutions to meet the increasing expectations of both employees and consumers. Our collaboration with Avanade and Accenture will address these needs. Through the Centers of Excellence, Avanade and Accenture developers will help accelerate the delivery of creative and unique solutions across the globe for the Windows Phone ecosystem."
Jo Harlow, executive vice president, Smart Devices at Nokia, said, "Smartphones have become an intrinsic part of our everyday lives, including working lives. The Windows Phone platform provides the industry's best working life smartphone solution and the Nokia Lumia range launched at Nokia World was built to enhance people's professional lives as much as their personal lives. We welcome this partnership as a way to make the business appeal of these products even stronger."
Dan Lauderback, managing director, Accenture Mobility Services, said, "Microsoft's robust enterprise solutions, relevant cloud solutions and compelling Windows Phone platform have created a truly unique environment that will change the mobile landscape. The combination of Avanade's unique Microsoft specialization, mobile developers and global scale together with the Microsoft mobile vision make a powerful combination for our business."
About Avanade
Avanade provides business technology solutions and managed services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft® technologies to help customers realize results. Our people have helped thousands of organizations in all industries improve business agility, employee productivity, and customer loyalty. Avanade combines the collective business, technical and industry expertise of its worldwide network of experts with the rigor of an industrialized delivery model to provide high quality solutions using proven and emerging technologies with flexible deployment models-on premises, cloud-based or outsourced. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation and has 13,000 professionals in more than 20 countries. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com