As with the earlier versions, the Oracle-based ICBS system
is heavily parameterised, for defining transactions, screens, currencies, branches, documents, limits, authorisation and so on. The setting of the parameters should ideally be done by the bank, with BML’s assistance, although this does not always happen. The system is 24x7, with postings stored and balances updated during the batch processing. The End of Day processing can be run at different times for different parts of the system, which adds to the flexibility. The Oracle version of ICBS runs on any platforms which support this environment, including Windows, but the first takers all opted for central Unix servers. They chose a mix of Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Bull, NCR and Data General. The use of the Oracle environment brought enhancements in terms of distributed processing, database replication, improved reporting and querying, and the use of standard Microsoft tools. Oracle brought other facilities, such as signature verification. Browser support for the AS/400 and Oracle versions was delivered in a series of phases, and had been applied to most modules by the start of 2001. Prior to this, in 1999, BML added support for internet-based transfers, and stock exchange orders and enquiries. The first taker for the Oracle version was Crédit Libanais in Beirut, which signed in 1997 for the trade finance element running on Bull’s rebadged version of the IBM RS/6000. The bank subsequently added the transfers module in the first quarter of 1999. The first to go live with the full Oracle version was BCP-Oriel in Beirut. The first branch went live inside 75 days, with the back office up and running within 90. The speed of the project was helped by the fact that the bank was migrating from a 4200 version of the system. A number of other banks signed for the Oracle version, with a couple live by the end of 1998. The first bank outside of Beirut to cut over was Bank of Jordan. BML/Infoel chose to wait until this project had succeeded before actively marketing the Oracle version outside of Lebanon (a reflection of a healthy conservatism). In terms of added banking functionality, the Oracle
version brought a module for futures and options, and a link to the Beirut Stock Exchange. Other modules have been for consumer lending, with two early customers signing for this, and Islamic banking. The latter was released in the first quarter of 1999, along with a module for managing a bank’s own shareholders. Another area of additional functionality was securities, with the release of a dedicated module. Among the
Sales progress
BML has tried to be more active than in the past outside of its traditional markets. In some areas, it hoped to build on its own existing outlets. As mentioned, the company already had a presence in the US for its insurance products. BML said it would also like to market – or find partners to market – ICBS here, although there has been no sign of tangible progress against
44
well-entrenched domestic US suppliers. Faddoul said he was keen to keep up the export effort because he felt it ensured the company remained professional and performed well, whereas in the somewhat closed Lebanese banking market it might become complacent. There was modest new business in 2000 and the first half
Universal Banking Systems Market Report |
www.ibsintelligence.com
first takers of this, signing in the first half of 1999, were Société Générale and Crédit Commercial de France, both in Beirut, followed by Arab Finance Corporation. Two other takers to sign in late 1999/early 2000 were SocGen subsidiary, Fidus- SG, and Beirut Riyad Bank. Both were new customers. Fidus- SG opted for the AS/400-based version of ICBS. Beirut Riyad Bank took the Unix and Oracle version. Also added in 1999 was support for bancassurance, with Fransabank the first to take this.
Both versions provide multi-lingual support, including
Arabic and Russian. Interfaces have been built to Steria’s Stachem payments system at Citibank, and Smartstream’s Management Data-derived Corona at SocGen in Beirut. An interface to the Reuters Dealing 2000 front office system was built for Bank of Jordan. There is SAMA reporting in Saudi Arabia and BAFI reporting in France. In fact, on the Swift front, BML was involved in lobbying and visiting the Society when the Lebanese banking market was seeking (successfully) to join the network at the start of the 1990s. On the euro side, work was done with Société Générale
Libano-Européenne de Banque (LEB) in Beirut. BML basically took the euro requirements of SocGen as a whole, these were also reviewed by BNP in Beirut, and they were then added to the AS/400 version of ICBS and embedded within the design of the Oracle version. Both BCM and Banorabe took the euro changes. In fact, multi-currency support on the retail side was already available within the system as it had been needed by Lebanese nationals, who often had accounts in the local currency as well as accounts in dollars and other foreign currencies. More generally, SocGen LEB was a fairly proactive customer. In 2001, it added the loans management module. Marketing primarily shifted to the Oracle version but there has been no pressure on banks to move from the AS/400/ iSeries version and there are a fair few still on this, including SocGen. Enhancements are made first for the Oracle version. It was stated that they would only be added to the iSeries version if requested by users. BML initially said that it was unlikely that a GUI front-end would be developed for the iSeries version, but it then reversed this. The GUI was initially applied to the capital markets module and was taken by Fidus-SG. It looked as though some banks might be attracted by the resilience and ease of use of the platform, with Crédit Commercial de France in Beirut opting for this in 1998. The bank subsequently handed over support of the hardware platform itself to BML.
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