IBM has expanded its global network of analytics centres with the launch of a London Analytics Solution Centre, with an initial focus on the UK financial services sector.
The company said that, over time, the centre will expand to help clients of energy and utilities companies, as they move into smart grids and intelligent metering; public sector organisations, as they develop transportation that reduce congestion and improve public safety; and, pharmaceuticals firms to improve the speed and quality of drug development.
IBM said that the new centre will be the focal point for UK and Ireland analytics team which will initially number a total of 400 consultants, software specialists and mathematicians. The centre will be based at the company’s Southbank office and will draw on expertise from its Business Analytics and Optimisation global consulting organisation, and from technologists at Europe’s software development laboratory, IBM Hursley in Hampshire, UK.
According to IBM, the London centre will have access to its information management portfolio that includes technologies integrated following the acquisitions of Cognos, iLog and SPSS. It will also help organisations embed new sensor technology into their processes to gather detailed performance and management data on which to base analysis and decision-making.
Brendon Riley, chief executive of IBM UK and Ireland, said: “Today’s business leaders need to move beyond intuition to insight, from gut feel to facts – it is now possible to see key patterns in vast amounts of data, to extract critical insights and move to a new level of intelligence.
“London was chosen due to its status as a global financial centre and world-class skills base. Business analytics offers an opportunity for us to help clients transform the way they operate – enabling them to become smarter and improving levels of competitiveness.”
