NBK signs Cisco as strategic technology advisor

As part of this agreement, Cisco Systems will work in tandem with NBK to provide technology counsel and support in furthering the bank's product roadmap in line with Cisco's vision of the Intelligent Information that combines voice, video and data onto a single integrated network.

'Cisco Systems is NBK's trusted technology provider and we rely on Cisco's technology for our core communications,' said Dr. Fadi Chehayeb, Chief Information Officer at NBK. 'By working more closely with Cisco, we will open up many more opportunities for the bank to enhance internal efficiency, and provide innovative banking services to our customers.'

The agreement entitles Cisco to act as an advisor to one of the region's most prominent banks, by ensuring differentiation in product offering through state-of-the-art Cisco infrastructure that is scalable as per the company's growing business operations. NBK has also recently deployed a Cisco based IP telephony solution to meet the demand of the bank's internal employee needs in delivering best-in class products and services to its customers.

'Today's announcement with NBK illustrates how the Cisco Intelligent Information Network vision for communications system allows organizations to cost-effectively enhance interaction with their customers by creating a seamless communications environment. Banking environments are highly mission-critical and require a networking infrastructure that is robust, manageable, highly secure and flexible enough for changing requirements. Working at an advisory level with NBK, we will enable the bank to increase the efficiency of operations and lower the total cost of ownership while delivering new, integrated services such as the IP Communication architecture,' said Samer Alkharrat, General Manager - Gulf Region and Pakistan, Cisco Systems.

Cisco will offer a wide range of services to NBK to cover several different aspects of its operations. The Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), a multi-discipline team of consultants, will give guidance to NBK on using Internet-based solutions to transform business processes, and keep the bank up-to-date with technology offerings in a bid to better plan the Bank's future direction.

Cisco's Certified Internetworking Experts will assist NBK in defining the scopes of new projects as well as optimizing new network designs for maximum benefits. Additionally, technical consultants and project engineers, will help the bank's IT staff increase internal capabilities through proper certified training programs.