-- Optimized Network: An integrated wireless network to accommodate VoIP,
video, and data that provides access to business applications anytime and
anywhere across the branch. The solution is based on highly secure virtual
private networks that help minimize operational risk while enabling greater
collaboration among employees and clients. For example, branch employees
can establish a highly secure video link to instantly bring subject matter
experts in on a conversation with a client to help answer questions and
drive sales. Branches use only the services they need when they need them
with the option to activate additional services on demand.
-- Optimized Branch Infrastructure: Based on open standards, the solution
provides users with a simple Web portal that automatically integrates
voice, video, Web conferencing, mobile IP softphones and voicemail. The
solution includes role-based workplaces to give each user access to a
specific set of services such as account opening or loan processing, and
collaboration tools including instant messaging and Web conferencing. Banks
can selectively locate server, storage, network communications and
applications inside the branch or at consolidated sites based on business
need.
-- Unified Communications: A single interface that integrates voice,
video, Web conferencing, mobile IP softphones and voicemail to spread staff
expertise across the bank's channels anywhere in the world. As a result,
employees can be more productive, better cross and up-sell, and make
decisions faster. Customers can have anytime/anywhere contact with product
experts and benefit from a more personal and interactive experience that
boosts satisfaction. The solution provides both the structure and
intelligence for banks to integrate their communications methods,
technologies, and information into intelligent data streams that can be
used for business planning and analysis and that closely map to business
processes and banking activity.
-- Integrated Contact Center: Integrates branch and contact center
infrastructures to help branch employees engage trained and licensed
experts with customers by voice or video call to close a sale. The
solution employs IP virtualization and intelligent call routing to
automatically meet customer call volumes and includes a 360-degree customer
view, speech recognition, and collaboration tools to help service agents
navigate complicated sales.
"IBM and Cisco bring together deep experience in banking to provide our
joint clients with innovative offerings to help create a powerful customer
experience, improve service delivery, enhance productivity, and streamline
processes to lower costs," said Paul Jameson, director of marketing for
Financial Services, Cisco. "Banks can now automatically synchronize their
multi-channel environments and enrich all client touch points across and
beyond the branch to improve satisfaction and drive organic growth."
The new solutions may include consulting services from IBM Global Business
Services, IT consulting from IBM Global Technology Services, hardware
including IBM System z, System p, System x and BladeCenter servers, and
software including IBM Lotus, Tivoli and WebSphere. Cisco technologies can
include Branch Connectivity and Security, WAAS ISR Bundle, Data Center
Connectivity and Security, Branch Communications, Contact Center
Technologies, and the Cisco Wireless Products Portfolio.
The IBM and Cisco Front Office Solutions for Retail Banks are now generally
available from IBM and Cisco. The companies will demonstrate the solutions
at the 2007 BAI Retail Banking Conference and Expo, November 13-15, in Las
Vegas, Nevada, at booths #1920 (IBM) and #1251 (Cisco).
"Banks are under increasing pressure to understand how their customers
perceive the banking relationship and they are looking for new ways to
improve satisfaction," said Sunny Banerjea, global solutions executive, IBM
Banking Industry. "Sustainable organic growth can only happen if banks are
willing to innovate and take advantage of all available channels to better
connect with their customers. The combination of IBM and Cisco services and
technology can help banks achieve this goal while minimizing risk and
lowering cost."
For more information about IBM and Cisco Front Office Solutions for Retail
Banks, visit www.ibm.com/cisco or www.cisco.com/go/ibm.
About Cisco
Cisco (Contact Information: Contact Information Press Contact(s) Pamela Ferrill Cisco Systems, Inc. +1 408 527-9076 parupert@cisco.com Sean Tetpon IBM US +1 914 474-5508 stetpon@us.ibm.com Bill Mew IBM UK +44 207 202-5769 mewb@uk.ibm.com Industry Analyst Relations Laura Irwin Cisco Systems, Inc. + 1 408 853-8876 lirwin@cisco.com Seena Peck IBM US +1 917 472-3295 speck@us.ibm.com