Nokia’s recent adoption of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform has prompted the Finnish-based company to eliminate 7,000 jobs and offload development of Symbian to Accenture.
Indeed, the latter company will be taking on “approximately” 3,000 Nokia employees to ensure the continued delivery of Symbian software development and support services.
“This collaboration demonstrates our ongoing investment to serve our Symbian customers,” explained Nokia exec Jo Harlow in an official statement.
“As we move our primary smartphone platform to the Windows Phone platform, the transition of skilled talent to Accenture also shows our commitment to provide our Symbian employees with potential new career opportunities.”
Although both companies have worked together since 1994, CCS analyst Ben Wood told Bloomberg the “big surprise” was Accenture.
“Nokia is moving quickly to transition Symbian out of the company in order to ensure complete focus on Windows Phone 7.
“This is [clearly] the beginning of the long and painful journey.”
Meanwhile, Heikki Kauppi, chairman of the Federation of Professional and Managerial Employees, which represents more than 8,000 of Nokia’s 13,000 employees in its category in Finland, said the layoffs were a “bit more” than anticipated, but still “broadly in line” with earlier projections.
“[As such], I’m generally satisfied with Nokia’s good effort in investing in the reemployment of those laid off.”
