Accenture’s Technology Vision 2019: Are You Ready for the Post-Digital Era?

Every year I look forward to the release of the Accenture Technology Vision, and this year’s release, “The Post-Digital Era Is Upon Us,” is no exception. Naturally, I am excited to read our annual compilation of five technology trends emerging over the next three to five years. To see what this year’s key trends are, watch the video below:

The Power of Digital Transformations

As the 2019 Accenture Technology Vision sets out, companies have used the power of digital transformation to shape themselves, to shape customers and employees, and then to shape people’s expectations. What is now emerging is a post-digital world. It is a new world—one that tailors itself to fit every moment. 

 The emergence of a post-digital world is driving a shift to how people will experience the world for generations to come. Soon, each individual will have their own reality, and every moment will represent an opportunity for companies to play a role in shaping it. At the same time, people are adopting new technology both quickly and completely. They are becoming selective and demanding of what they adopt, challenging companies to work with them or adapt to them in different ways.

To me, as CIO of Accenture, I look to the Tech Vision to use what insights are applicable to our internal IT posture and direction. Certainly, some of the trends we already embrace or are in progress and others may be new angles for us. While all five trends highlighted in the report have bearing on what’s next for Accenture’s IT direction, it is Trend 3 that stands out as most relevant:

Tech Trend 3: Human+ Worker

Change the workplace or hinder the workforce

What does this mean? In Accenture’s view, workforces are becoming human+: each individual is empowered by their skillsets and knowledge plus a new, constantly growing set of capabilities made possible through technology. Companies must adapt the technology strategies that successfully created this next-generation workforce to support a new way of working in the post-digital age.

 Accenture actively takes measures to support a new way of working. We have a digital worker strategy that focuses on an array of capabilities. Among these are enabling mobile ways of working, with mobile apps, cloud-based capabilities, and providing people access to some of the newest technology as it becomes available. We’re using Microsoft Office 365 and OneDrive for Business, and Accenture employees take advantage of new capabilities like Microsoft Teams, Planner, Sway, and Power BI. In addition, Accenture is piloting emerging capabilities, like Delve/Graph, B2B Access, Power Apps, and Flow. Efforts are an ongoing journey as new capabilities emerge.

 Additionally, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we deploy capabilities that focus on user need, experience, and engagement, and capabilities that are integrated and seamless, allowing users to do their best work wherever they are and on whatever device. Collaboration, in particular, is a major need among our global workforce of more than 469,000 people. To enhance collaboration, our people use Microsoft Teams and Surface Hubs. They also use Accenture Production, our “pop-in studios” for small-scale broadcasting purposes, and video- and podcast-creation capabilities to record content or hold live sessions.

 Our strategy builds on Accenture’s significant investments in social, mobile, pervasive video, broadcasting, and secure network. Our digital worker approach is geared to deploying the tools employees need to do their work, connect, and do things in new ways today—and in the future—in ever-evolving ways that build skillsets and best serve clients. 

 How is your organization empowering your workforce through technology?

 Andrew

 Learn more about the Accenture Technology Vision for 2019 at and #TechVision2019.

You can follow me on Twitter at @andrewxwilson.  

Andrew Wilson is the chief information officer at Accenture.