Accenture, SAS Team Up To Offer Predictive Analytics Solutions
SAS and Accenture have a business relationship extending 10 years. By combining Accenture's industry and business knowledge with SAS's analytics solutions and capabilities, the venture is aiming to help companies and government organizations understand and implement predictive analytics solutions. The goal is to get clients to move business results to the next level by applying best-of-breed predictive analytics and best practices to complex issues.
Predictive analytics takes the information made available through standard analytics today and combines it with more sophisticated statistical modeling, forecasting and optimization techniques to anticipate the impact on business outcomes. Accenture believes that the insights gained through predictive analytics can be used to shape decisions that will improve business, and help companies beat their competitors.
"During previous downturns, companies that thrived used data insights to produce lasting competitive advantage," said managing director of Accenture Analytics Dave Rich, in a statement. "Companies today can use predictive analytics to gain deeper insight that has not been previously obtainable, allowing decisions to be made more quickly and business performance to be improved."
The Accenture SAS Analytics Group plans to initially focus on developing predictive solutions for the financial services industry, including banking and insurance; health-care services, including payer/provider and pharmaceuticals; and the public sector, in areas such as federal and human services.