INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cloud

Accenture and Microsoft , together with their joint venture , Avanade , worked closely with Unilever to deliver the transformation in just 18 months with minimal disruption to business operations . It has not only helped ensure resilient , secure and optimised operations for Unilever but also provides a platform to drive innovation and growth .

With Azure as its primary cloud platform , Unilever will be able to accelerate product launches , enhance customer service and improve operational efficiency . Additionally , the move to Azure aligns with Unilever ’ s sustainability commitment by helping the company to build on the progress it ’ s making towards curbing carbon emissions .

The creation of an agile , high-performing digital core that delivers greater efficiency will provide Unilever with increased computing power to explore new ways of working . Unilever ’ s adoption of a cloud-only approach will significantly improve business resilience , strengthening security and enhancing control of the IT landscape .

Accenture , Microsoft and Unilever have set a new benchmark for cloud transformation in the consumer goods industry , including :

• Unlocking new innovation opportunities , such as utilising industrial Metaverse technologies that use real time data from factory Digital Twins to accelerate ( light house ) factories of the future and build upon existing cloud data platform to power insights and predictions .

• Accelerating the ability to identify trends and make decisions faster . By leveraging the power of the cloud , Artificial Intelligence and its strong data foundation , Unilever can forecast and adapt to changing market needs faster than ever before . For example , this will enable Unilever to achieve perpetual breakthroughs in research and development , allowing for new and innovative products to be developed faster and with greater efficiency .

• Embracing the latest in AI to drive better experiences by applying Azure OpenAI Service across Unilever ’ s business to drive increased automation , enabling better customer and employee experiences .

• Reducing its carbon footprint by exiting its data centres and introducing Green Cloud Advisor , which facilitates Unilever ’ s transition to a more sustainable and efficient cloud environment .

“ Unilever is a truly data-powered organisation ,” said Steve McCrystal , Chief Enterprise and Technology Officer , Unilever . “ We ’ re using advanced analytics to make better-informed decisions quicker than ever before . Working with Accenture and Microsoft on this global transformation project , we can respond to ever-changing consumer needs faster , allocate our resources more effectively to focus on what drives growth and bring services and products to the market faster .” p

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