100%
data mastered in the cloud
5x
faster data delivery
AI-ready
central data catalog
To support clients’ rapidly changing AI agenda, KPMG modernized its data infrastructure utilizing cloud solutions from technology partners like Informatica.
“AI and digital transformation are imperative to business growth, but these efforts are only as strong as the data behind them. Whether it's building a report or utilizing the most advanced generative AI model, access to trusted data is critical to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes.”
Preparing for a new AI agenda
For decades, KPMG LLP has been a leader in financial acumen and business insight. Now, as artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative AI reshape industries, KPMG is once again at the forefront of change, recently ranking #1 for quality in AI advice and implementation by research consultancy, Source. To maximize the value of AI, KPMG isn't just advising on transformation—the firm is also upgrading its own IT operations and data supply chains, with a focus on AI-ready cloud data management and governance.
Kelle Fontenot, Chief Digital Officer at KPMG, highlights the rapid pace of change: "AI and digital transformation are imperative to business growth, but these efforts are only as strong as the data behind them. Whether it's building a report or utilizing the most advanced Generative AI model, access to trusted data is critical to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes.”
This sentiment is echoed by Andy Swire, Managing Director of Data Services and Program Execution at KPMG: “Data is the foundation for a strong digital infrastructure."
“In today's business environment, people want things to be accurate and almost on-demand. We recognized that the time was right to move our Master Data Management (MDM) and data quality platforms to the cloud to be able to leverage the new technology and deliver things faster and more efficiently.”
Partnering with a leader in cloud
To tap into new growth opportunities, KPMG addressed its legacy data estate. Like many long-standing firms, years of accumulated data sources were located across on-premises data centers, with several limitations – high operational costs, limited scalability and data silos with disparate governance and inconsistent quality.
“In today's business environment, people want things to be accurate and almost on-demand,” says Swire. "We recognized that the time was right to move our Master Data Management (MDM) and data quality platforms to the cloud to be able to leverage the new technology and deliver things faster and more efficiently.”
A long-time Informatica customer, KPMG decided to rationalize its architecture on the Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) and its robust suite of services. Cloud Data Integration ingests data from various systems of records (for example, finance and legal) and moves it into relevant cloud data lakes or warehouses. Cloud Data Quality helps automate data cleansing and governance while Master Data Management deduplicates, unifies and validates trusted profiles for critical business entities. The combined solutions integrate seamlessly with KPMG's broader tech stack of other technology providers.
Fontenot elaborates on this collaborative approach: "Our data and analytics platform has a robust technology stack, including informatica, that allows us to do everything from producing a basic report and providing high-quality data for the latest Gen AI model to creating workspaces for data scientists to experiment and innovate."
A transition to trusted data
KPMG adopted a phased approach for its modernization journey, following the principle of "start small, scale fast." This methodical approach allowed the firm to manage the complexity of the transformation while delivering tangible results at each stage.
The process began with the migration of KPMG’s reference data management, which covered the complete lifecycle of key fields such as industry alignment and service types. Previously, teams often relied on spreadsheets, SharePoint folders or even direct messages to access reference data from the right data owners. Informatica Reference 360 automates the profiling, cleansing, and validation of entity data from various formats and sources into a consistent, central data catalog with enhanced quality scorecards and discoverability. Following this early success, the team used Informatica MDM SaaS to master other critical business domains including client B2B records with Customer 360.
These improvements had a clear impact on team productivity, supporting ever-faster reporting cycles across internal teams and clients. "The business is always asking for us to be faster, cheaper and higher quality,” notes Fontenot. “Modernizing our MDM to the cloud gives us the flexibility to take advantage of new innovation use cases.”
Swire emphasizes this advantage: "Delivering high-quality data at the right time to support our AI agenda is critical and we’re making great progress on that mission with Informatica.”
Cloud data that pays dividends
One key learning from implementation has been the importance of simplicity. A comprehensive, integrated approach to data management helps teams govern and deliver data more quickly, with less work, all in the same platform. Fontenot explains: "From data quality and data de-identification to mastering capabilities for reference data management, Informatica helps us deliver that trusted data.”
The Informatica platform streamlines data processes, and Swire notes the efficiency gains are already apparent in their client satisfaction: "By migrating our platforms to the cloud, we can deliver data faster, with the same or better quality for our clients.”
The benefits of KPMG's data modernization extend beyond operational efficiency. More timely reporting improves decision-making across the organization. Following its reference data migration, the firm plans to extend cloud MDM to other uses such as talent, growth and marketing.
A data platform that scales
By modernizing to a cloud-based data estate, KPMG is continuing to lead with its AI agenda.
Teams now have a single, consolidated source of truth across the data supply chain. A central reference data catalog cuts ramp time for new reports and greenfield initiatives, while lowering project risk.
The firm’s partnership with Informatica continues to play a crucial role, providing the robust, flexible data management foundation necessary to thrive amid rapid and constant change. “The roadmaps for IDMC got us very excited about what we can do next. The platform gives our people the opportunity to upskill, explore new areas and grow their careers,” says Fontenot.
Through every market shift and AI development, Informatica’s Customer Success Team is there to advise on timely solutions to data challenges. Swire reflects on this: "We talk a lot about technology and data, but what really makes the magic happen are the people.”
Looking ahead, KPMG is well-positioned to continue leveraging its cloud data management capabilities and to unlock the full potential of AI and analytics.
Inside the solution
Master Data Management
Intelligent Data Management Cloud
Cloud Data Integration
Data Quality & Observability
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