Enterprise IT vendor IBM today announced that it will set up a new big data and business analytics center in Athens, Greece.
The new big data center will assist enterprises to leverage analytics and cognitive computing capabilities, improving business operations and enhancing their competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The new center will lead big data and business analytics client engagements in the region, working with IBM’s global network of Business Analytics Centers in Berlin, Beijing, Dallas, London, New York, Tokyo, Washington and Zurich.
Spyros Poulidas, general manager, IBM Greece & Cyprus, said: “We see big data as the next new natural resource that provides the basis for developing solutions, which offer not only business advantage, but also the platform to drive Greece’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
Alpha Bank, Greece, is one the enterprise clients of IBM.
“By partnering with IBM and leveraging IBM’s strong business analytics capabilities in Greece, Alpha Bank is gaining better insight into the areas in which the Bank operates, from retail banking to financial reporting, risk assessment, compliance and governance,” said Efstathios Kakogiannis, executive general manager – Information Technology and Operations, Alpha Bank.
IBM is also collaborating with the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) to provide lectures, case studies and workshops on Big Data and Business Analytics. IBM will also collaborate with AUEB in the creation of the first national Postgraduate Degree in Business Analytics, to be launched this September.
In addition, IBM will co-operate with the University of Piraeus on the development and design of hands-on practical sessions in Business Intelligence and Business Analytics modules of MBA programs.
IBM works in several EU-funded R&D projects with universities such as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Centre of Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), the Foundation for Research, Technology Hellas (FORTH), and the National Technical University of Athens and the Athens University of Economics and Business.
