Nokia gets rid of Symbian and cuts Thousands of Jobs

The Windows infiltration of Nokia takes the next level. Nokia just announced to outsource Symbian to Accenture. Along with Symbian, 3,000 Nokia developers also transfer to the consulting firm Accenture.
Nokia expects completion of the final agreement during summer 2011, and expect the transition of employees by the end of the calendar year 2011. Transitioning employees, located in China, Finland, India, United Kingdom and the United States, will initially work on Symbian software activities for Nokia. Over time, Accenture and Nokia will seek opportunities to retrain and redeploy transitioned employees.

This collaboration also includes plans for Accenture to provide mobility software, business and operational services around the Windows Phone platform to Nokia and other ecosystem participants. Under the proposed agreement, Accenture would become a preferred partner for Nokia's smartphone development activities, as well as a preferred provider of services.

With Symbian out of the picture, Nokia can focus entirely on Windows Phone developments. This are drastic measures and Nokia is making a big bet with going the Redmond way.

Nokia also announced today to kill another 4,000 jobs besides the 3,000 that move to Accenture. The majority of reductions are in Denmark, Finland and the UK. In accordance with country-by-country legal requirements, discussions with employee representatives started today. All employees affected by the reduction plans can stay on the Nokia payroll through the end of 2011.

"At Nokia, we have new clarity around our path forward, which is focused on our leadership across smart devices, mobile phones and future disruptions," said Stephen Elop, Nokia president and CEO. "However, with this new focus, we also will face reductions in our workforce. This is a difficult reality, and we are working closely with our employees and partners to identify long-term re-employment programs for the talented people of Nokia."

The Finish icon is going through a real rough patch. Let's see if they can come back and challenge Apple and Google on the smartphone front with Nokia Windows Phones - it will be difficult.

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