SEATTLE – November 14, 2017

As the emergence of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies reshapes the workforce, Avanade has become a patron of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center’s for Information Systems Research (MIT CISR) to help organisations fast-track their capability-building for the future.

Recent research highlights that beyond the prevailing digital transformation focus on customer experience, there is an immediate imperative for organizations to also prioritize the digital employee experience – and start placing digital worker enablement at the center of their growth strategies for the emerging AI-first world. A global survey of business executives by Avanade found that implementing digital and AI technologies to augment the productivity potential of the human workforce will be critical for companies to remain relevant in their markets beyond 2020.

One of only seven patrons of MIT CISR globally, Avanade will support its clients to be more innovative and equip their digital workers for the changing workplace by facilitating privileged access to the center’s research and resources as part of Avanade’s advisory and digital innovation services. A recognized digital workplace leader globally, Avanade will also contribute to MIT CISR research and case studies showcasing successful digital transformation and employee experience strategies that large companies can apply to retain a competitive edge and avoid disruption.

“Digital transformation requires a 360-degree approach, because to be digital on the outside, you also have to be digital on the inside,” said Adam Warby, Avanade CEO. “Data-driven artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are fundamentally changing the way we all work. Joining MIT CISR will enable Avanade to bring insights and capabilities to our clients ahead of their competitors, both so they are strongly positioned to differentiate their digital workplaces and lead as innovators.”

Avanade has worked with hundreds of clients across the world to help them develop innovation strategies and implement digital tools and processes that optimize both the employee and customer experience, including Airbus, Delta, Henkel, GroupM and Williams Martini Racing. Avanade’s digital transformation and human-centered innovation expertise aligns closely with the research focus areas of MIT CISR, notably digital business design, employee experience, data and analytics, and cognitive computing.

“MIT CISR research shows large companies in the top quartile of employee experience are twice as innovative and 25% more profitable than those in the bottom quartile¹ ,” said Peter Weill, MIT CISR Chairman and Senior Research Scientist. “The Center for lnformation Systems Research at the MIT Sloan School of Management is pleased to welcome Avanade as a Research Patron."