Telecommunication Company Assists Bank

A large telecommunication service provider required expert advice and guidance on outsourcing a major bank's telecommunications services to increase efficiency across the IT&T division.

In 2001, the telecommunication company embarked on a high profile initiative with a view to the eventual and complete outsourcing of a major bank’s IT&T services. To help facilitate this outcome, the telecommunication company managed - on behalf of the bank - a number of strategically important projects in the area of Desktop and Voice & Data. SMS was engaged to provide guidance on the delivery of these projects in the short term, as well as to plan for longer term transition to an outsourced IT&T business model.

SMS established a dedicated Project Office, designed for the development of an effective, mutually beneficial transition strategy.

SMS brought together specialist consultants to:

• establish a Project Office, with particular focus on a smooth and effective conversion
• focus on the effective delivery of projects to facilitate successful transition of bank staff and assets to the telecommunication service provider
  

SMS managed the successful completion of critical projects and established the necessary frameworks for integration.

SMS developed and implemented a range of processes and methodologies to ensure successful integration of the bank’s IT&T resources to the telecommunication service provider. Drawing on their expert knowledge of business processes in this area, SMS's tailored recommendations focussed specifically on:

• developing a project management plan in line with pre-transition requirements
• program and management of high profile projects
• developing and implementing detailed transformation plans
• establishing transformation programs of work to enable adherence to the telecommunication company’s contractual obligation of delivery
• identifying a list of potential projects which would deliver real benefits in technology improvement
• establishing a range of business processes to support contract functions, including vendor management
  

All bank staff were successfully transitioned over to the telecommunication company, resulting in significant reductions in cost and improvements in staff resource allocation.

As well as managing the successful transition as required, SMS provided the bank with a five-year technology roadmap based on the telecommunication company’s transformation process. As roadmap milestones will occur periodically throughout the lifecycle of the project, both parties have a clear understanding of future requirements. SMS’s expertise in program and project management enabled a mutually beneficial outcome, with a high level of customer satisfaction amongst key stakeholders from both the bank and the telecommunication service provider.