Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has been positioned as a Leader in International Data Corporation's (IDC) first ever "IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Professional Services 2013 Vendor Analysis" report (doc #242401, August 2013). The IDC MarketScape represents a vendor assessment including both quantitative and qualitative characteristics that define success in today's cloud professional services market.

IDC evaluated 13 cloud professional services providers in the report based on a comprehensive and rigorous framework that assessed each vendor on approximately 50 characteristics. The framework highlights the factors expected to be the most influential for success in the market in both the short term and long term.

In naming Accenture as a Leader, the IDC MarketScape stated that "Accenture uses deep industry knowledge, ecosystem relationships, and experience as a service integrator and outsourcer to create differentiated solutions that address clients' unique issues."

As part of its MarketScape, IDC conducted a buyer perception survey in which clients highlighted Accenture to be most strong in the following areas: ability to handle changes in project scope; presence of local offices and local resources; and providing functional insights and competence.

"We are proud to be named as a cloud professional services Leader in the IDC MarketScape report as a testament to our industry knowledge, technology capability, strong ecosystem relationships and ability to support our clients in their migration to the cloud," said Jack Sepple, senior managing director of Cloud at Accenture. "We're pleased that our clients recognize our strengths and work with us as a trusted advisor to provide cloud advice and support. We believe cloud underpins today's digital businesses and we work every day to help organizations use the cloud to deliver tangible business results - from lowering costs to bringing new services to market faster to facilitating easier entry into new global markets."

Accenture has worked on more than 6,000 cloud computing projects for clients, including more than 60 percent of the Fortune Global 100, and has approximately 8,500 professionals trained in cloud computing.

The IDC MarketScape is available here.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a transparent foundation to allow companies to independently compare the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 266,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

Accenture
Hannah Unkefer, + 415-537-4848
hannah.m.unkefer@accenture.com