EY has announced that it is extending its alliance with Microsoft (News - Alert) to combine digital and cloud technologies with the goal of helping the agricultural industry put digital transformation strategies into action, according to the release. The alliance is set to provide a foundation to develop data-driven solutions that leverage advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to help agricultural organizations use data to drive efficiencies and business opportunities.
The initiative reportedly will combine EY's technology consulting experience and its agribusiness knowledge with Microsoft's digital suite of tools and the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to help companies innovate and transform their businesses.
“By 2050, the world's population will increase to an estimated 9.6 billion people, which will require 70 percent more food than is available today,” said Rob Dongoski, Global Agribusiness Leader, EY. “The entire food value chain is challenged with feeding the world in ways that are safe, transparent, and sustainable. The EY-Microsoft Agribusiness initiative will play a significant role in helping to deliver the solutions the industry needs to provide for a growing population, whether that is through connected field services or other digital solutions. We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft and go to market with a robust, dynamic initiative with a focus on agribusiness.”
At Chicago Ideas Week, Microsoft demonstrated a number of proofs of concept that include sensors, drones, connectivity capabilities, and Microsoft Azure Machine Learning.
“Microsoft's vision for shaping the future of agriculture is to help feed the world with innovative technology solutions that use fewer chemicals in a sustainable way,” said Egbert Schroeer, Chemical & Agribusiness Leader, Microsoft. “EY leadership and experience in agribusiness consulting and data analytics matched with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and Azure Machine Learning can together provide farmers, agribusiness suppliers, manufacturers and traders with unique and custom solutions.”
Under the new initiative, EY and Microsoft will focus on the comprehensive agribusiness value chain, which includes retail, crop protection, crop inputs, grain processing, machinery, precision agriculture and grain and meat processing.