NTT DATA has formed a new global business unit dedicated to Microsoft Cloud. The company noted on August 7 that the unit was created to meet the rising enterprise demand for secure, AI-driven digital transformation. The new unit consolidates the company’s deep industry and technical expertise to accelerate cloud modernization and the deployment of advanced AI solutions.
Operating across more than 50 countries, the unit brings together specialists that hold over 24,000 Microsoft certifications. It will be led by Aishwarya Singh, Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Business Unit for Microsoft Cloud and build on NTT DATA’s longstanding strategic alliance with Microsoft.
“Our expanded collaboration with Microsoft reflects a shared commitment to helping clients tackle today’s complex business challenges with speed, scale and trust,” said Charlie Li, Head of Cloud and Security Services, NTT DATA, Inc. “Through our global business unit for Microsoft Cloud, we’re bringing together the strengths of both organizations to solve modern problems using advanced cloud and AI technologies, whether it’s modernizing operations, improving how people work and connect, or delivering more intelligent, secure and resilient digital experiences.”
Beyond Agentic AI, the unit will concentrate on several areas critical to the ERP ecosystem. They include:
- Modern Cloud Solutions: Assisting organizations in building and updating applications on Microsoft Azure.
- Sovereign Cloud Adoption: Addressing complex data residency and compliance requirements, which is a crucial capability for enterprises in regulated industries.
- Enhanced Digital Experience: Integrating Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365 to transform customer engagement and internal collaboration.
This move follows significant market momentum for Agentic AI with NTT DATA reporting it has generated nearly 100 enterprise client opportunities for its Agentic AI services in just 90 days. Thus, the formation of this dedicated unit signals a clear market shift from AI experimentation to production-scale implementation, focusing on the critical intersection between ERP systems and intelligent hyperscalers like Microsoft Azure.
What This Means for ERP Insiders
Agentic AI is the next automation frontier. ERP systems have mastered transactional automation, but Agentic AI promises a new level of intelligent process automation. Instead of just reporting data, these AI agents can execute entire workflows across applications. ERP leaders should begin identifying high-value, cross-functional processes such as procure-to-pay and order-to-cash as prime candidates for this next-generation automation, shifting the strategic focus from what AI can analyze to what it can autonomously accomplish.
Specialized units signal market maturity. The creation of a dedicated business unit by a major global systems integrator like NTT DATA indicates that integrated ERP, Cloud, and AI solutions are now a mainstream enterprise strategy. For ERP leaders, this means moving beyond general-purpose providers and seeking partners with consolidated, specialized expertise who can manage the technical and business complexity of these large-scale transformations.
Cross-ecosystem expertise is non-negotiable. The true value of this initiative lies in bridging the gap between major enterprise platforms. While focused on Microsoft Cloud, its effectiveness for most large companies hinges on deep integration with ERP systems. Leaders must vet implementation partners not just on their credentials in one ecosystem, but on their proven ability to make these powerful, multi-vendor platforms work in concert to drive business processes.
