“SIZ and T-Systems are two companies that support and complement each other.“
Alexander von Stülpnagel, CEO at SIZ
“Collaboration and integration are key”
Every year, 3.6 billion euros pass through the hands of Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe’s 377,000 employees.We decided to take a peek behind the scenes at the business processes, IT systems and security mechanisms that underpin these bank transactions. Alexander von Stülpnagel, CEO at Sparkasse’s IT subsidiary SIZ informatikzentren, spoke to T-Systems Account Directors Gero Keusen and Thomas Ungermanns about collaboration, IT security and keeping in good shape.
Your 2008 annual report was published with the subline “SIZ – always evolving”. What does that mean for an IT company?
For us, it’s about ongoing development and improvement. Both are essential for all companies. And having the right IT is key. Since SIZ’s foundation in 1990, we’ve not only evolved but have completely re-invented ourselves multiple times. So you can imagine how important evolution and change are for my employees and me – they’re practically imprinted on our DNA.
For us, it’s about ongoing development and improvement. Both are essential for all companies. And having the right IT is key. Since SIZ’s foundation in 1990, we’ve not only evolved but have completely re-invented ourselves multiple times. So you can imagine how important evolution and change are for my employees and me – they’re practically imprinted on our DNA.
A great deal has changed during this time...
Yes... and not just the business environment. IT is evolving constantly and rapid developments in this area have significantly altered the face of banking – both for financial organizations themselves and for customers. Almost all business processes, whether for customer contact, processing transactions or management, rely heavily on IT – to a greater or lesser extent depending on the particular business model. The financial crisis has shown just how important IT has become for banking products, and how, as a result, they can be made available globally. IT has also transformed organizational structures and led to large-scale, rapid consolidation. For example, since 1998, Sparkasse has reduced its number of data centers from 11 to just one. By bringing applications on to a single, standardized platform, Sparkasse has and will continue to cut IT costs – while constantly improving its services. I think that SIZ has made a considerable contribution to these developments. And this was in line with our original task – to harmonize the group’s IT landscape.
Yes... and not just the business environment. IT is evolving constantly and rapid developments in this area have significantly altered the face of banking – both for financial organizations themselves and for customers. Almost all business processes, whether for customer contact, processing transactions or management, rely heavily on IT – to a greater or lesser extent depending on the particular business model. The financial crisis has shown just how important IT has become for banking products, and how, as a result, they can be made available globally. IT has also transformed organizational structures and led to large-scale, rapid consolidation. For example, since 1998, Sparkasse has reduced its number of data centers from 11 to just one. By bringing applications on to a single, standardized platform, Sparkasse has and will continue to cut IT costs – while constantly improving its services. I think that SIZ has made a considerable contribution to these developments. And this was in line with our original task – to harmonize the group’s IT landscape.
What is the role of SIZ today?
Since our strategic realignment in fiscal 2003, SIZ has been an independent IT company. We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, which is still our primary customer. However, we are starting to gain a positive reputation and win deals with financial players and large corporations beyond the group. Our portfolio ranges from tailored consulting services, to the provision and implementation of end-to-end IT solutions. We focus on online and electronic banking, card technology, business-partner integration and IT security.
As part of the Sparkassen group, we are able to bundle conventional telecommunications services, such as telephone and cell-phone technology, and pass on the associated benefits to all other members. We already have a long and successful partnership with T-Systems. And we’re looking forward to tackling tomorrow’s challenges together, too.
Since our strategic realignment in fiscal 2003, SIZ has been an independent IT company. We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, which is still our primary customer. However, we are starting to gain a positive reputation and win deals with financial players and large corporations beyond the group. Our portfolio ranges from tailored consulting services, to the provision and implementation of end-to-end IT solutions. We focus on online and electronic banking, card technology, business-partner integration and IT security.
As part of the Sparkassen group, we are able to bundle conventional telecommunications services, such as telephone and cell-phone technology, and pass on the associated benefits to all other members. We already have a long and successful partnership with T-Systems. And we’re looking forward to tackling tomorrow’s challenges together, too.
The navigation buttons on your Website are: IT security, ebanking and IT management. Are these your core competencies?
That’s right. We’ve built up extensive expertise in IT security. As a result, our product “sicherer IT-Betrieb” (secure IT operations) has become a standard solution for Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Its fulfills all the organizations’ requirements. All mission-critical processes in each of the companies rely on IT. But to ensure optimum results, a piecemeal approach to security is not sufficient. Instead, we need to take a more holistic look at IT security. “Sicherer IT Betrieb” is a comprehensive, proven solution encompassing all relevant aspects.
That’s right. We’ve built up extensive expertise in IT security. As a result, our product “sicherer IT-Betrieb” (secure IT operations) has become a standard solution for Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Its fulfills all the organizations’ requirements. All mission-critical processes in each of the companies rely on IT. But to ensure optimum results, a piecemeal approach to security is not sufficient. Instead, we need to take a more holistic look at IT security. “Sicherer IT Betrieb” is a comprehensive, proven solution encompassing all relevant aspects.
