The future of the Symbian mobile operating system (OS) became clearer this week.
Its creator Nokia has decided to outsource its Symbian software activities, which include 3,000 staff, to Accenture.
This effectively resolves the uncertainty which had been hanging over the Symbian mobile OS and its development teams following Nokia’s decision to partner with Microsoft and to use Windows Phone as its main smartphone OS rather than Symbian.
It became increasingly likely that Symbian and the development of its mobile OS would find a home outside of Nokia.
“As we move our primary smartphone platform to Windows Phone, this transition of skilled talent to Accenture shows our commitment to provide our Symbian employees with potential new career opportunities,” said Jo Harlow, executive v-p for Smart Devices, Nokia.
US-based Accenture’s involvement with the Symbian software business has been long and important. It started working with Nokia in 1994.
In October 2009, Accenture acquired Nokia’s professional services unit that provides engineering and support of the Symbian operating system to mobile device manufacturers and service providers.
Accenture will take control of the development and support of Symbian software and services. One of its customers will be Nokia
Accenture develops software services on a number of platforms including WinMo (Microsoft Windows Mobile), Windows Phone, Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Java, Linux, Meego as well as Symbian.
Initially Accenture will still provide Nokia with support for Symbian software and services used in current handsets.
But there is a plan for Accenture to provide software, business and operational services around the Windows Phone platform to Nokia and other ecosystem participants.
The companies expect completion of the final agreement during summer and expect the transfer of employees by the end of the year
