Enterprises in the Middle East are increasing hybrid cloud usage, transferring part of their traditional data centre workloads to the cloud. As workloads shift to the edge, businesses demand solutions that offer stronger application mobility, security, data privacy, interoperability and open standards that a hybrid cloud environment can deliver.
Given the rapid digitalisation in the region, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank started working on the deployment of an end-to-end digitisation programme across its branches, digital platforms and back office operations.
As part of this strategy, the UAE-based Islamic Bank has implemented IBM’s hybrid cloud technology furthering its plan to pivot the business towards a digital infrastructure that can derive long-term benefits for the bank.
In an exclusive interview with ITP.net, Mamoun T. Alhomssey, Chief Information Officer, ADIB talks about fostering a digital culture based on robust business intelligence and a nuanced understanding of customers’ needs. Banks can no longer remain constricted by legacy systems, segmented databases and physical branches.
“Within the bank there is broad understanding that as technological change accelerates, ADIB will need to adjust its offering while never losing focus on what customers expect and need,” Alhomssey told ITP.net. This is why we selected IBM Cloud Pak for Integration and IBM Cloud Pak for Automation.”
With this collaboration, ADIB will be able to provide enhanced integration and automation processes that are tailored to the bank’s specific needs.
ADIB will also integrate different microservices from its vast ecosystem of partners and FinTechs to offer its customers a marketplace of financial services. IBM hybrid cloud solutions will allow ADIB to better manage and automate data-intensive processes and reduce manual document processing while addressing the changing customer demands faster.
While it is difficult to quantify return on investment on the implementation, Alhomssey explained that the bank’s perspective when incorporating technology within its operations is always long-term.
“There’s no doubt that the bank’s focus on technology will provide operational and financial benefits. Over time a progressive digital transformation effort that leverages big data, analytics and AI, as well as the fostering of a digital culture within ADIB that encourages learning and collaboration among our teams, will deliver long-term benefits to the bank,” he added.
Talking about what necessitated and, in part, accelerated this transformation, Alhomssey said that once the true nature of the Covid-19 pandemic became apparent, the bank’s IT, HR, Operations and Business Continuity teams worked hard to ensure that we had the right infrastructure in place to maintain our operations.
“It was essential for ADIB’s workforce to remain connected despite working remotely, so that we could remain a cohesive and collaborative team. Using technology, we were able to maintain a regular cadence of meetings not only to synchronise workflows, but also to maintain a culture that fosters a sense of calm, direction and much-needed motivational support amongst our teams,” Alhomssey said.
According to Alhomssey, IBM hybrid cloud solutions will enable the bank to operate with greater efficiency and serve customers more effectively.
“This will help enhance our customers’ banking experience, building trust in and loyalty for ADIB’s brand. Internally, IBM’s solutions can enable us to drive efficiencies across the bank. This is not to the detriment of employees, but instead enables them to work in areas that can deliver greater value and which are typically more stimulating and gratifying.”
Source ITP.net