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. A blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a
continuously growing list of ordered records called blocks. Each block contains
a timestamp and a link to a previous block. By design, blockchains are
inherently resistant to modification of the data — once recorded, the data in a
block cannot be altered retroactively. Blockchains are "an open,
distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently
and in a verifiable and permanent way. It is usually used as public ledger of
all Bitcoin transactions that have ever been executed.
"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.
No comments:
Post a Comment