EY launches cloud platform for strategic decision-making

EY has announced the introduction of 'EY Competitive Edge', a cloud-based platform that uses real-time data and generative AI technology to provide comprehensive insights for strategic decision-making.

The platform compiles data from multiple sources, including company reports and publicly available information, to equip EY teams and clients with precise, timely insights tailored to their strategic needs. This integration of EY's proprietary intellectual property with external databases creates a robust layer of data for informed decision-making.

Tony Qui, EY Global Strategy and Transactions Chief Innovation Officer, commented, "In today's complex business landscape, organizations and leaders need to navigate multiple layers of data to drive agile and confident decision-making. EY Competitive Edge helps clients do just that, offering the opportunity to collate, explore and interrogate a rich set of data and insights, and make better, more informed organic and inorganic strategic decisions.

"EY Competitive Edge reflects a continued commitment to provide innovative solutions that help clients stay at the forefront of technology to gain competitive advantage."

The platform is underpinned by an AI-driven engine that incorporates Microsoft's GenAI technologies, such as Azure OpenAI, AI Search, and Azure Cosmos DB, for enhanced data processing and querying capabilities. The interface allows users to interact with data fluidly, maintaining a user-friendly experience.

Additionally, EY Competitive Edge is part of the broader EY.ai ecosystem, integrating Microsoft tools to boost data management capabilities. It supports various strategic applications like target screening, competitor analysis, and market assessments, offering clients competitive insights.

Lydia Smyers, Vice President, Northeast US, Americas Enterprise at Microsoft, remarked, "Today's announcement marks another milestone in our longstanding relationship with the EY organization. The collaboration is a powerful combination of the EY organisation's industry-leading capabilities and Microsoft's advanced data and AI platforms. Together, we are helping businesses to leverage deep insights that drive innovation and strategic growth."

The platform's expansive database includes 26 million company profiles, 2.1 million transactions, and over 325,000 company reports, along with monitoring 677 million news articles. It combines EY's proprietary thought leadership from 140 countries to offer a comprehensive analytical tool.

Andrea Guerzoni, EY Global Vice Chair for Strategy and Transactions, stated, "EY Competitive Edge supports front-end strategic discussions with clients across all aspects of their growth strategy. In a merger and acquisition (M&A) scenario it helps clients to process vast amounts of data—from newsfeeds to real-time investments—to uncover insights that help narrow down potential acquisition targets. Used in tandem with other EY M&A technologies, it could help transform the deal process—from strategy to execution."

EY Competitive Edge is complemented by the enhancements to other platforms like EY Diligence Edge and EY Capital Edge, which offer AI-supported insights for a variety of strategic operations from planning to post-merger activities.