KPMG Launches New Global Data & Analytics Labs with the Aim of Delivering Better Business Insights for Clients

NEW YORK, May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG International today announced the launch of KPMG Insights Labs, a virtual R&D center that will serve as a global innovation hub with the aim to incubate and develop data-driven business solutions for KPMG member firms' clients.

The creation of KPMG Insights Labs is the latest step KPMG has taken in recent months to expand its portfolio of data & analytics (D&A) solutions and services, with new innovative solutions to help member firms' clients unlock the value of their data.

In November 2013, KPMG International announced the launch of KPMG Capital, a fund created to accelerate innovation in D&A services and solutions. And, since December 2013, KPMG member firms in the U.S., U.K. and Australia announced a number of acquisitions or partnerships that are designed to offer D&A and digital solutions to clients helping them manage risk and cost, and drive growth.*

As the global R&D resource for D&A solutions, which all of KPMG's member firms worldwide can access, the Insights Labs will undertake R&D for the assets acquired by KPMG Capital as well as for existing KPMG intellectual property.

The Insights Lab, with hub locations in the U.K., U.S. and India will provide an environment where new D&A applications can be developed, 'proof of concept' designs demonstrated and verified, and ideas incubated.

"The Insights Labs are intended to fill a critical gap for clients," said Mark Toon, Global Leader of Data & Analytics and CEO of KPMG Capital. "While companies are quickly pursuing strategies to capture and examine their data – the 'Big Data' chase – what we're providing is an environment for putting data-driven solutions to the test.

"The Labs were designed with input from member firms' clients and alliance partners, and will help them to explore and pressure-test new applications and simulate real scenarios to derive insights faster."

Critical areas for enhancing data-driven decision making – and those that will be the first to go through KPMG's Insights Labs R&D process – will initially include new applications for customer analytics, competitive positioning, regulatory compliance and predictive modeling for clients in financial services, telecommunications, healthcare and life sciences and retail.

The KPMG Insights Labs are modeled on prototype lab environments in which KPMG firms' professionals work with clients to test data-driven applications and derive the essential insights needed to address a complex business issue.

Eddie Short, head of KPMG's Insights Labs and KPMG's Data & Analytics practice for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region added:

"More than ever, businesses need decisions backed by insight, and the KPMG Insight Labs have been created to accelerate the pace of innovation in a secure and controlled environment, helping clients arrive at greater insights more quickly.

"We will bring together specialists from KPMG member firms and the broader business community to enable clients to experience firsthand the 'art of the possible' and the 'art of the probable' in leveraging their data for faster, more insightful decisions."

*Note to Editors
In December 2013, KPMG in the U.S. announced the acquisition of Link Analytics, a company that specializes in developing scalable business analytics applications, including customer experience, large-scale social network analysis, and network optimization. 

In January, KPMG in the U.K. announced a strategic partnership with the Chelsea Apps Factory (CAF), one of the U.K.'s leading technology firms specializing in the design and production of Mobile Enterprise Apps. 

In February, KPMG in the U.K. firm also announced a sponsorship deal with pivigo academy, the organizers of the first Data Science Summer School in the U.K. KPMG is supporting the training of 100 of Europe's top PhD science students to become proficient in data science.

Also in February, KPMG in Australia acquired social media intelligence company, SR7 to enhance its digital consulting services.

For further information, contact
Jennifer Samuel
Global Communications
KPMG International
+1 416 777 8491
[email protected]

About KPMG International
KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 155 countries and have more than 155,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

About KPMG Capital
KPMG Capital Limited and KPMG Capital Holding Limited comprise an investment fund for KPMG member firms. The investment fund is not open to third-party investment and will not, itself, provide professional services to clients.  KPMG Capital Limited and KPMG Capital Holding Limited are legally distinct and separate from KPMG International Cooperative and each KPMG member firm.

Like every member firm in the KPMG global network, KPMG Capital, and the entities it invests in, is subject to the same rules and regulations promulgated by the regulatory bodies responsible for establishing standards for auditor Independence (for example, the US SEC, PCAOB, AICPA, IESBA and those established by the various countries in which the investments reside). These rules apply to member firms, the individuals at such member firms and the targets for potential joint venture, alliance or acquisition related to the activities of KPMG Capital. All existing Independence protocols apply to KPMG Capital.

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SOURCE KPMG International