Cloud Computing and the Innovation Process of Technology Consulting

Abstract: Cloud Computing is heralded as the next big thing in enterprise IT. It will likely have a growing impact on IT and business activities in many organizations. It is changing the way IT departments used to work in order to get competitive advantages and meet the needs of the global economy. Accenture consulting currently has an advantage because they are developing innovation inside and also bringing innovation from outside to its current offer. However, what is of particular interest in this research is the impact of new technology such as Cloud Computing to Accenture’s Business Model as a consequence of the maturation of the Internet as an IT platform. Accenture is opening its Business Model, using an approach of Open Innovation, accessing external knowledge in order to support their R&D processes. The firm is using both external and internal ideas to develop new technologies to take them faster to the market, according to the studies of Henry Chesbrough. The intention of this thesis is to address the following questions; How Accenture focuses on new markets and new businesses (such as Cloud Computing), as well as their current business (such as SAP)? What kind of innovation process is Accenture BM with SAP, according to the description made by Henry Chesbrough? How Accenture by working on Cloud Computing is moving its BM from type 5 to 6 according to the description made by Chesbrough? To answer these questions an exploratory case study approach was taken with the intention to detect patterns and regularities that will help to precise the answers and capture the impact of Cloud Computing to Accenture technology consulting services. Accenture is passing from a Business Model type 5 where integrates its innovation process connected to its Business Model and where is using IP as a financial asset; to a Business Model type 6 where Accenture is able to change, and is changed by the market, in other words, Accenture is creating a Business Model which is adaptive and where its innovation process identify new Business Models, using its IP as an strategic asset. Even though Cloud Computing is at a nascent stage; to be successful organizations should take small, incremental steps toward this new environment so can obtain early benefits for applicable business situations, and learn how to deal with the associated issues and risks. While cloud computing still has a long way to go before proving its full value, Accenture is moving fast to make it a vital part of its value proposition and its Business Model.