Citibank chooses service providers to accelerate rollout of global desktop and LAN standardization project.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1996--Citibank announces that it has awarded contracts to Digital Equipment Corporation and EDS (Electronic Data Systems, Plano, TX, www.eds.com) Founded in 1962 by H. Ross Perot (independent candidate for the President of the U.S. in 1992), EDS is the largest outsourcing and data processing services organization in the country. to accelerate the implementation of a global technology standardization program. The corporate-wide program, dubbed dub 1tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs 1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood. 2. To honor with a new title or description. 3. "Project Enterprise," affects the management and maintenance of all desktop computers and local area networks (LANs) worldwide. Project Enterprise is standardizing the corporation's desktop computers and LANs on a common hardware and software platform. The goals of the project are to improve information sharing See data conferencing. , enhance productivity, control future costs, and foster an environment for innovation. Tested in pilot programs since 1994, the project began rollout in 1995 and has now been accelerated with the contract awards to Digital and EDS. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Colin Crook, Citibank's Senior Technology Officer, "Project Enterprise is Citibank's solution to understand and manage constant technology change, especially at the desktop and LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. platform level. By integrating our processes across the entire bank we are able to manage our technology assets more efficiently and build an enabling infrastructure for introducing technological innovation." The corporation's existing systems base includes approximately 60,000 desktop computers and 2,000 LANs. The project will improve the financial and operational management of desktop computers, LANs and distributed computing (1) The use of multiple computers networked throughout a wide geographical area, or the world via the Internet, in order to solve a single problem. See grid computing. (2) The use of multiple computers in an enterprise rather than one centralized system. services through product and service standardization. Rather than packaging information technology in terms of discrete components An elementary electronic device constructed as a single unit. Before integrated circuits (chips), all transistors, resistors and diodes were discrete. They are widely used in amplifiers and other devices that use large amounts of current. , the Project Enterprise model assumes that distributed applications An application made up of distinct components running in separate runtime environments, usually on different platforms connected via a network. Typical distributed applications and client-server computing environments are viewed and managed as complete, end-to-end systems. This "service-oriented" perspective calls for the introduction of a standardized hardware and software platform for desktop and LAN environments, to be implemented in a uniform manner across the entire corporation. The recent contracts represent the culmination of a multi-year effort to prove the concept via the pilots and then expand the acceleration of the rollout across the entire enterprise. To date, more than 5,000 desktop "seats" have been "enterprised" at multiple locations. According to Ranjit Singh Ranjit Singh (rŭn`jĭt sĭng), 1780–1839, Indian maharaja, ruler of the Sikhs. Seizing Lahore (1799) and Amritsar (1809), he established himself as the leading Sikh chieftain. , Head of Project Enterprise and Vice President of Global Distributed Computing and LANs for Citibank, "The Digital and EDS service agreements have been designed to ensure that our technology is always current across our entire installed base, in order to promote consistency, interoperability and quicker technology upgrades. We have also required that both service providers implement this service in a uniform manner." These contracts will impact a significant portion of the corporation's desktop computers and LANs. Digital and EDS will work with the Citicorp Global Information Network (CGIN CGIN Cooperative Grocers' Information Network (national co-op association; founded 1997) CGIN cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia CGIN Citicorp Global Information Network CGIN Chang Gung Institute of Nursing ), the bank's networking unit, to interface with Citibank's individual businesses during the rollout. CGIN's role will be to control the desired architecture and manage the vendor relationships so that business needs are served under a centrally coordinated function. Singh says, "This differs from relationships, in which vendors take control of existing operations and manage them using their own tools and processes. Our approach which we call "insourcing (1) Doing work with inhouse employees. Contrast with outsourcing. (2) Creating jobs in your country by an organization that is foreign owned. Contrast with outsourcing. " brings the service providers into our operational process, where we control the architecture and the tools, and then we partner with them to implement it." John Rando, Vice President and General Manager of Digital's Services division, said, "Digital's global reach and wide range of client/server management services were key to our ability to win this business. Under Citibank's direction, we are providing a worldwide comprehensive desktop solution, including custom help desks and procurement and management of hardware, software and LANs." "Citibank has always led the industry in the application of technology, and this project is no exception," said Coley coley Noun Brit an edible fish with white or grey flesh [perhaps from coalfish] Clark, who leads EDS' business in the financial services The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. industry. "Their decision to partner with more than one company is an excellent way to test capabilities and performance in what is still a rapidly evolving marketplace. EDS has the infrastructure, people and processes that Citibank needs to make this project successful." The Project Enterprise model fits in with Citibank's overall technology strategy, which is putting in place a global architecture based on distributed technology systems operating across an intelligent network. The project facilitates a worldwide standardized computing infrastructure that is interconnected via the bank's high-speed, high-volume global router network. Citicorp is a global financial services organization serving consumers, corporations and financial institutions through a network of over 3,400 offices and branches in over 90 countries and territories, spanning the developed and emerging economies of the world. Citicorp's key competitive advantages--an unmatched global network, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and an edge through application of technology--plus the dedication to continuous improvement and innovation, distinguishes Citibank as a uniquely global bank. CONTACT: Citibank Nina Das, 212/559-5844 email: nina.das@citicorp.com or Digital Equipment Corp. Bott bott n. Variant of bot1. Ikeler, 508/496-9981 email:ikeler@stowoa.enet.dec.com or EDS Carol Winters, 214/604-2694 email: fignet03.carolw@eds.com |
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