GBM to help design new IT roadmap for Oman Development Bank

The Bank has contracted Gulf Business Machines (GBM) Oman, the General Marketing and Services Representative (GMSR) for IBM World Trade Corporation (WTC), to assess its current IT environment and develop a five-year IT strategy and roadmap.

The wholly owned government entity has a capital of OR 20 million and provides loan services to registered Omani companies including advance loans to companies operating in the tourism and services, agricultural and fisheries and industrial sectors. It also guarantees loans advanced by other banks and financial institutions to Omani companies and it manages soft loans granted by the government (prior to 1997) as well as special government grants and other government funds.

"The Bank's existing IT environment must be synchronised with our rising business needs and demands as the nature of our business dictates that we efficiently and effectively manage an ever increasing volume of business. The need to revamp our IT infrastructure is due to this fact coupled with a corresponding requirement to be able to continue providing high levels of services to our clients," said HE Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, Chairman, ODB.

The IT environment is currently composed of Windows 2000 servers, with an Oracle 9i database which was enhanced in-house using Oracle Developer Tools.

The timeline for implementation of the new IT environment is eight weeks, with the full system up and running by the end of October this year. The roadmap will provide a clear vision for the future of ODB's IT strategy helping the bank maximise value yet minimise costs by clearly defining the scope of work for the next phases.

"Although the process of developing a five year IT strategy for a high profile bank is a very challenging undertaking, GBM has vast experience in this field and is happy to be providing the service to such a noteworthy client," said Olivier Mouries, General Manager GBM Oman.

The contract was signed by Mr Mouries and Dr. Abdulaziz Al Hinai, Deputy General Manager, ODB, on 23 August 2005, beginning the two-month long assessment and implementation phase.