April 30, 2025 | New at BCG
BOSTON—Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Microsoft today announced the expansion of their strategic collaboration to help clients gain value by fully realizing the potential of AI investments in manufacturing. Building on broad market success across digital topics, this next phase will include key digital manufacturing, advanced analytics, and smart automation offerings to transform the shop floor for clients using Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Azure. A key part of this collaboration includes joint executive workshops at Microsoft Innovation Hub locations focused on these topics.
Leveraging BCG’s deep manufacturing knowledge and practical tools, along with Microsoft innovative technology, the joint offering helps manufacturing organizations develop a clear vision, and execute lean, digital, and AI manufacturing programs enabled by a standardized and scalable Microsoft intelligent data platform and application layer with best-in-class operational technology, edge, and hybrid cloud capabilities. The enhanced value to clients will include:
- Accelerated implementation for rapid value realization
- Cost-efficient, ready-to-deploy solutions
- Seamless integration with existing technology ecosystems
- Continuous machine performance optimization and efficiency gains
“Manufacturers today face unprecedented challenges from increasing geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and labor shortages,” said John Knapp, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG. “Through our expanded collaboration with Microsoft, we are bringing the power of AI to the manufacturing shop floor, including optimizing production and enhancing predictive maintenance. By combining BCG X’s Manufacturing AI solution with Microsoft AI-driven capabilities, we are helping organizations unlock new levels of resilience, agility, and competitive advantage.”
As part of this expansion, clients can now join BCG and Microsoft for workshops combining Microsoft Innovation Hub, where clients can learn about the latest and greatest Microsoft technology, with BCG’s Innovation Centers for Operations (ICOs), which focus on helping clients transform their operations. This initiative is starting in four key cities—Chicago, Houston, Silicon Valley, and Seattle—and will expand over time to other locations around the world.
“Microsoft and BCG are transforming manufacturing organizations with predictive and generative AI, reshaping the industry, and redefining the way businesses operate,” said Ben Grimes, Corporate Vice President, US Manufacturing, Microsoft. “Through our combined expertise, we empower leaders to fully realize the potential of their AI investments, accelerating innovation, optimizing operations, and driving breakthrough advancements.”
Learn more about the collaboration between BCG and Microsoft here.
Learn more about BCG’s Operations practice here.
Learn more about Manufacturing AI by BCG X here.
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