NTT DATA establishes global CoEs for digital technologies

NTT DATA Corporation has established Centers of Excellence (CoE) in three advanced technology areas (IoT, Intelligent Automation, Software Engineering Automation) to accumulate knowledge on digital technologies on a global scale and train specialized engineers.

The development of the CoEs, which are structured for gathering knowledge on a global scale, training engineers, providing technical support, assets, and intellectual properties, is one of the core activities of NTT DATA's global digital strategy outlined in its mid-term business plan.

The CoEs aim to increase the presence of NTT DATA in seven fields of advanced digital technologies, including four previously established CoEs (AI, Blockchain, Agile/DevOps, Digital Design), and to contribute to increasing global orders received.

One of the strategies set forth in the medium-term management plan "Expansion of global digital offerings" is to expand the number of technology-intensive CoEs.

The CoEs are part of an initiative that utilizes NTT DATA's global network of talent and advanced digital technologies to contribute to the digital transformation of clients by providing knowledge, training, technical support, and assets across the globe.

Four CoEs have already been established in areas of leading-edge technology: Blockchain, Digital Design, Agile/DevOps, and AI. Starting today, NTT DATA will expand activities in the following three areas and establish CoEs for all of the six "Digital Focus Areas" (Note 2)that NTT DATA defines as the fields of advanced technology essential for digitization.

IoT CoE

By connecting a variety of equipment, mainly in the manufacturing industry, through networks, NTT DATA is undergoing business changes such as the upgrading of factories. Not only in the manufacturing industry, but also in the logistics and service industries, there is an accelerating movement to collect and analyze a large amount of data from goods and people in real time and use it in business.

As a global integrator with the know-how and assets to handle a wide range of projects, from data collection through IoT devices to analysis using such data, NTT DATA has responded to the business transformation needs of customers using IoT.

With teams across 10 sites in nine countries, NTT DATA will strive to deploy advanced initiatives in the manufacturing industry and in social infrastructure development in Germany and Italy and on a global basis, starting in Japan.

Intelligent Automation CoE

In addition to increasing work efficiency, there is a growing need for "intelligent" decision-making that does not rely solely on the personal knowledge of specific individuals, and for business transformation that results in better outcomes. Intelligent Automation is a technology for executing business processes that are automated through artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data utilization. NTT DATA established the Intelligent Automation CoE with the aim of contributing to digital transformation as well as reducing clients' operating costs and improving efficiency.

In the area of Intelligent Automation, NTT DATA has received orders worth more than 10 billion yen per year. NTT DATA will strive to strengthen the capability of Intelligent Automation globally, starting in eight countries, especially in North America, where demand is particularly high, utilizing assets such as its intelligent enterprise platform, Nucleus.

Software Engineering Automation CoE

By 2022, 40% of application development will be AI enabled (Note 3). NTT DATA uses a low-code development platform (LCDP), machine learning, and test automation technology to visually design (modeling) applications such as screens, data, and logic using a graphical user interface (GUI), generate and construct source code from the defined model in an instant, and deploy it in a cloud environment.

NTT DATA aims to strengthen its market competitiveness by improving the productivity of software development on a global basis, starting in seven countries, utilizing solutions such as everis CAD.