Rand Group launches data sciences practice
Rand Group, a Houston-based IT consultancy, has created a new data science practice. The firm has brought in Brian Petersen and Anthony Bonaduce as vice presidents and leaders of the practice.
The new data practice will combine research, modeling, software engineering, database development, and business knowledge to drive business performance improvements. The practice will use reporting, analytics, and machine learning solutions – tailored to the unique needs of clients – to drive smarter decision making.
"We live in a world where data driven businesses are consistently outperforming the competition, and therefore the demand for data access and consumption continues to increase," said Ron Rand, president and CEO. "At the same time, we're seeing the amount of data that clients have to navigate to create useful information grow at an exponential rate. This makes it difficult for clients to turn the data around them into information for decision making. For these reasons, it was clear to us this was the right time to invest in this space and ensure we are positioned to support our clients for maximum success.”
Petersen and Bonaduce both join from Jet Global, a financial reporting solution for Microsoft Dynamics. Petersen, who will lead services and solutions delivery in the new practice, has 14 years of data and analytics experience. He most recently served as VP of product at Jet Global, overseeing product strategy, roadmaps, consulting services, and customer engagement.
Bonaduce brings seven years of analytics sales and sales leadership experience, and will head business development and sales in Rand’s data practice. He most recently was VP of business development at Jet Global.
The firm’s existing analytics team will be combined with the new data science practice. The team will continue to provide financial planning and analytics software and solutions through partners Jet Global, Solver, and Microsoft.
Rand Group was founded in 2003 through the acquisition of the tech consulting division of Hein & Associates, a Houston accounting firm. The firm delivers tech solutions and implementations to help clients digitally transform their processes, focusing on oil and gas, manufacturing, distribution, and construction companies in Texas and the South Central United States. The firm has approximately 100 employees across offices in Houston, Dallas, Portland, and Vancouver.