NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG
International and Microsoft Corp. have announced the launch of
joint Blockchain Nodes, which are designed to create and
demonstrate use cases that apply blockchain technology to business
propositions and processes. The first joint Blockchain Nodes
are in Frankfurt and Singapore, with future plans for a location in
New York.
The KPMG and Microsoft Blockchain Nodes --innovation
workspaces-- will expand on a global alliance, which combines
Microsoft's technical expertise with KPMG's deep industry and
blockchain application knowledge, together with strong connections
to the start-up and developer communities.
"The Blockchain Nodes will play a critical role in identifying
new applications and use cases that blockchain can address," said
Eamonn Maguire, global and US leader
for KPMG's Digital Ledger Services. "They will enable us to work
directly with clients to discover and test ideas based on market
insights, creating and implementing prototype solutions that use
this innovative technology."
With a priority focus on applications for financial services,
plans are for the Blockchain Nodes to further examine how
blockchain technology can optimize business processes and models
for healthcare and the public sector, and potentially other
industries in the future.
"Together with KPMG's experience in successfully transforming
business models, we are pursuing innovative applications of
blockchain technology that will help our customers worldwide
achieve their strategic goals," said Marley Gray, principal architect program manager, Azure
Blockchain Engineering at Microsoft. "The global availability of
our Microsoft Azure cloud platform, the hybrid cloud architecture,
and multi-tiered security address the specific compliance
requirements of clients and help accelerate the use case
process."
Jens Rassloff, KPMG's global head of Alliances, added, "The
Blockchain Nodes and the Microsoft alliance enable fresh approaches
to solving clients' complex issues as well as opening the door to
new opportunities. We are also inviting the start-up ecosystem to
participate in use case development, which will help enable a
greater range of solutions for the challenges blockchain
implementation presents for financial institutions and other
industry players."
Last September, KPMG announced the introduction of its Digital
Ledger Services, a comprehensive suite of services designed to help
financial services companies realize the potential of blockchain
capabilities -- providing faster and more secure transactions,
streamlining and automating back office operations, and reducing
costs by utilizing blockchain-based technologies.
KPMG also announced the expansion of its strategic alliance with
Microsoft to work on blockchain initiatives – with Microsoft
providing the Blockchain as a Service platform on Microsoft Azure
and KPMG providing its comprehensive suite of services – which will
help clients efficiently and securely move to the cloud for
storage, while adopting disruptive blockchain technologies.
To learn more, visit www.kpmg.com/microsoft
For further information, contact:
Kent Miller
KPMG International
+1 908 313 5037 (m)
ktmiller@kpmg.com
Pete Settles
KPMG LLP
201-505-6065
732-546-4212(m)
psettles@kpmg.com
@pgsettles
Microsoft Media Relations
WE Communications for Microsoft
(425) 638-7777
rrt@we-worldwide.com
About KPMG International
KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing
Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. We operate in 152 countries and
have 189,000 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 Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT"
@microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for
the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower
every person and every organization on the planet to achieve
more.
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SOURCE KPMG International