KPMG Survey Finds Cloud Adoption More Complicated than Anticipated

Companies are reporting higher-than-expected costs from Cloud use as well as challenges with implementation, operations, and governance, according to a new survey by KPMG International. The survey, “The Cloud Takes Shape”, polled more than 50 business and IT leaders across 16 major global markets and found more than half are already working in the Cloud. However, one-third said the costs of moving to the Cloud were higher than expected, and a similar number reported significant implementation challenges. More

KPMG to Donate 5,000 Books to Children in Need for each Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis Tournament Win in 2013

KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory company and official sponsor of PGA Tour star Phil Michekson and Stacy Lewis, No. 1 ranked American player on the LPGA Tour, will donate 5,000 new books to local schools for each tournament victory the golfers achieve this season. As part of KPMG’s Family for Literacy initiative, it will select local schools in the city in which the golfers win to receive new books for children in need. More

Ratan N Tata Joins Global Ocean Commission

Ratan N Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, has joined the Global Ocean Commission, an independent body of international leaders including senior political figures, foreign ministers, finance ministers, business leaders, and development specialists, that will recommend measures to protect the oceans. The commission was created in London on February 12. It will analyze key threats to the international high seas, which make up almost half of the earth’s surface and are not owned by any one country. More

Tata Interactive Systems Honored for Excellence in Animation and Design for e-Learning

Tata Interactive Systems, a pioneer and global leader in learning solutions, was honored for Excellence in Animation and Design for e-Learning February 9 in a ceremony in Hotel Ramada, Mumbai. The award was conferred at the Orbit Live Industry Honours 2013 by Arena Animation and Anand Gurnani Media, AnimationXpress, and CG Tantra. More

Infosys to Mentor British Entrepreneurs after Web Mission to India

Infosys has announced support for 16 of the United Kingdom’s emerging digital, wireless and mobile software technology companies during the Web Mission 2013 to India. The trade mission to Bangalore and New Delhi is designed to help the British entrepreneurs develop relationships and establish a foothold in the Indian market. Infsys hosted the first major session in Bangalore and will provide each company with a U.K.-based mentor to support them in developing business opportunities in the Indian subcontinent. More

Infosys to partner with National ICT Australia in Joint Innovation

Australia’s premier ICT research organization, NICTA has signed a joint research collaboration agreement with Infosys to solve the hard technology problems facing businesses today. The focus areas for development including creating best practices for modernizing aging technology systems for the Cloud; developing greener, faster transport options for logistics departments; and adapting agile techniques from software development to accelerate the definition and solution of business challenges. More

Cognizant Rated Leader in Life Science Drug Safety Services by IDC MarketScape

Cognizant has been positioned as a Leader in the just-published IDC Health Insights “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science Drug Safety Services 2013 Vendor Assessment” (document # HI239221, February 2013). The report evaluated leading drug safety services providers in the life science industry based on key characteristics including functionality, delivery model, cost management strategy, portfolio strategy, customer base, and customer references. More

Saint Gobain Adds Transformational Services to HCL Engagement

Paris-based global construction company Saint Gobain has expanded its infrastructure engagement with HCL Technologies Ltd. to include transformational data center services in Europe. HCL is transforming Saint Gobain’s computing landscape into a world-class environment using proprietary cutting-edge technologies and frameworks. The new environment uses NCL’s MTaaSTM platform for Enterprise Service Management and Monitoring to deliver operational benefits and business value. More

Accenture Grants Quest Alliance India a US$623,000 Grant

Accenture and the Accenture Foundations have awarded Quest Alliance India an additional grant of US$623,000 to help the organization provide approximately 3,000 disadvantaged young people with career and workplace skills. The grant brings Accenture’s direct support to Quest Alliance India to more than US$950,000 since 2009.The award is part of Accenture’s global corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed. More

Madrid Health Authority Awards Two-Year Contract to Accenture

Accenture has signed a two-year contract with the Madrid Health Authority (Consejeria de Sanida de la Comunidad de Madrid) to consult on integrating and upgrading existing healthcare IT systems for Madrid’s public health network, serving the city’s 6.5 million citizens. Accenture will help the Authority enhance the integration and functionality of systems across 36 hospitals, 29 specialized treatment centers, and more than 400 primary care facilities. More