Jakarta/ Armonk, November 21st 2012 – IBM today announced HSBC-owned Bank Ekonomi Raharja (BER), one of Indonesia’s leading financial institutions, has upgraded its core banking system with IBM Power Systems servers and enterprise-level IBM System Storage DS8700 products. BER’s new infrastructure enables the bank to streamline its businesses processes and expand its services to meet the demands of a rapidly growing customer base.

Indonesia, with an estimated population of 240 million people, is the world’s fourth most populous nation and is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

BER, acquired by HSBC Holdings in 2009, turned to IBM earlier this year to put in place a high performance and flexible technology infrastructure to help meet its evolving needs.

"BER recognizes the role of technology in transforming operations and enabling growth,” said Endy Abdurrahman, Credit and Operational Risk Director Bank Ekonomi. “This key improvement in our IT infrastructure will strengthen our business performance, which in turn will help us provide advanced client service as well as adhere to compliance regulations. Specifically, the capabilities of IBM Power Systems and the DS8700 enterprise storage products support our growth plans and helps us drive efficiencies while enhancing client service."

IBM maintains a strong presence in Indonesia with nine branches, including the recently announced branch office in Bandung.

Suryo Suwignjo, President Director of IBM Indonesia, said, “The new infrastructure in place enables BER to improve access to financial services for rural households and businesses and to bring innovative services such as mobile and online banking to remote regions of Indonesia, including populations currently not served.”

Under the agreement signed in June, IBM provided and implemented a solution consisting of IBM Power 770 and Power 750 systems, together with the DS8700 enterprise storage and i-HA clustering.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker