Accenture, JSR and NTT Begin Work on a Proof-of-Concept for a Smart Industrial Complex

The aim is to develop a connected worker platform that collects and
analyzes data and recreates experienced worker’s capabilities

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Accenture (NYSE: ACN), JSR Corporation, a chemicals manufacturer
headquartered in Japan, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
(NTT), one of the world's largest telecommunications services providers
headquartered in Japan are embarking on a proof-of-concept project at
JSR’s plant in Chiba Prefecture designed to improve worker productivity
and safety in smart industrial complexes that is technology driven and
analytics led.

The plan is to develop a ‘connected worker’ analytics platform
leveraging smart sensors and wireless technology to automatically
collect and analyze unstructured data – such as motion images and sound
recordings from plant operation management and maintenance tasks
performed by experienced workers at the Chiba Plant. The cross-company
teams will work together to combine these insights with machine data
from distributed control systems, and to develop a solution that will
help users make more informed decisions using a machine learning
algorithm in real-time. The goal is to convert the tacit knowledge of
experienced workers into explicit knowledge, and transfer it to less
experienced workers.

The proof-of-concept will integrate JSR’s insights in operation
management and maintenance tasks, artificial intelligence “corevo®”(*)
of NTT Group including NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, along with industry-leading
digital transformation expertise and Industrial Internet of Things
(IIoT) capabilities of Accenture
Strategy. This proof-of-concept is based on the ideas of open
innovation which is vital for a smart industrial complex, and one that
integrates key capabilities from the three companies into one seamless
digital transformation plan.

A smart industrial complex has the potential to improve knowledge
transfer and address safety issues. This is a major priority for the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which recently announced a new
Japanese industry plant safety policy, the Super Certified Plant System.
The industry needs to address safety issues and establish stable,
continuous operation, but faces additional challenges: a shrinking
talent pool of experienced workers due to an aging workforce and
investment spending constraints for IT solutions as spending has been
required in recent years for safety solutions such as explosion
prevention.

“The chemicals industry will face major transformation when
digitalization makes it possible to detect signs of equipment
abnormalities and predict product supply and demand,” said Mitsunobu
Koshiba, representative director and president, JSR. “Harnessing the
innovation of NTT and Accenture, we will promote a smart industrial
complex and contribute to enhancing the competitive edge of Japan’s
chemicals industry.”

“We are accelerating NTT’s transition to its new business model, B2B2X,
and are committed to offering value-added services by collaborating with
companies in different fields to extend our offerings,” said Jun Sawada,
senior executive vice president, NTT. “This initiative helps establish a
smart industrial complex and future growth of the chemicals industry in
Japan, and it also embodies a business model for NTT that maximizes the
potential of ICT.”

Connected worker technology is one element of what Accenture refers to
as Industry X.0 – the digital reinvention of industry. It is when
businesses use advanced digital technologies to transform their core
operations, their worker and customer experiences and ultimately their
business models.

“Digital disruption presents unparalleled growth and new value creation
opportunities for Japan’s chemicals industry, especially when viewed
through the Industry X.0 prism,” said Atsushi Egawa, representative
director and president of Accenture Japan. “The deep chemicals industry
expertise, and digital transformation and IIoT capabilities Accenture
Strategy brings to the PoC will help embrace digital disruption in
addition to improving plant productivity and worker safety. Turning this
solution into a practical technology driven and analytics led business
model will help us showcase that Industry X.0 can deliver new levels of
efficiency in R&D, engineering, production, manufacturing and business
support through integrated systems, processes, sensors and new
intelligence.”

About JSR Corporation

JSR Corporation (formerly 'Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.') was
established in 1957 for domestic production of synthetic rubbers. Since
then, JSR has continuously expanded its business to emulsions and
plastics, and from the late 1970s, expanded to other materials for the
semiconductor, flat panel display, and optical materials fields by
leveraging our proprietary polymer technologies. In addition to the
Petrochemicals and Fine Chemicals fields, JSR works on the Life Sciences
field as one of its new business pillars to expand its profits.

About Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

NTT Group delivers advanced technology and innovative solutions in
networking, software communications, and cloud computing that help
transform businesses, governments and societies around the world. NTT
Group will deliver convenient, enriched and reliable services to support
customers as a “Value Partner” that its customers will continue to
select. Today, 88% of Fortune 100 companies rely on NTT Group as their
business partner. NTT Group generates over $105 billion in annual
revenues, has over 240 data centers and employs more than 275,000
professionals working in 88 countries and regions.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a
broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital,
technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and
specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business
functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network –
Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help
clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their
stakeholders. With more than 411,000 people serving clients in more than
120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world
works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture
Strategy operates at the intersection of business and technology. We
bring together our capabilities in business, technology, operations and
function strategy to help our clients envision and execute
industry-specific strategies that support enterprise wide
transformation. Our focus on issues related to digital disruption,
competitiveness, global operating models, talent and leadership help
drive both efficiencies and growth. For more information, follow @AccentureStrat or
visit www.accenture.com/strategy.

Contacts

JSR
Nobuhiko Kuwashima, + 81 3 6218 3517
jsr_koho@jsr.co.jp
or
Nippon
Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
Public Relations
ntt-cnr-ml@hco.ntt.co.jp
or
Accenture
Japan
Shigeo Masuda, + 81 45 330 7157
accenture.jp.media@accenture.com