Rapidly deploy Intranet-based financial applications that support secure, real-time credit risk analysis with direct access to existing operational systems.
Solution
Cool ICE, Web-enabling software from Unisys that creates, organizes, and manages Internet and Intranet business applications by leveraging existing databases in a secure environment.
Benefits
- Lightning-fast implementation
- Improved customer service
- Enhanced competitive position
- Informed decision making for credit risk managers
Real-time access
UBS, with headquarters in Zurich, is one of the world's leading financial institutions offering a full range of commercial, trading, risk management and investment services. UBS combines banking innovation and global coverage with traditional Swiss values of financial solidity and high levels of customer service.
UBS enjoys the largest market share of retail banking in Switzerland, an enviable position that the bank sustains with innovative information management. The key is timely access to information.
At first glance, a corporate Intranet seems like the best way to provide valuable information, but UBS had a major obstacle to overcome. UBS stores credit risk information in an operational system and an Intranet-based application would need to access this information on a real-time basis.
They need it fast
UBS found the solution with Cool ICE, the Internet and Intranet commerce enabler from Unisys.
Cool ICE brought lightning fast development to UBS Intranet credit applications. The information that resides on the operational system is a real-time tool in the marketplace. Before going to market, account managers create a credit protocol. This document contains all of the relevant statistics needed to ensure sound credit decision making. When account managers talk in terms of credit, they need information — and they need it fast!
But before Cool ICE, the information was not always up-to-date — and in some cases, it was up to a month old. The old application had a system with a separate database that was updated monthly. Since Cool ICE has the power to access legacy systems directly, UBS account managers are able to analyze up-to-the-minute, real-time information when making decisions.
One of the most secure intranets in the world
In addition to real-time data, Cool ICE brought UBS secure database access. Any time you offer real-time access to data via the Web, you immediately encounter delicate security issues. Real-time Web access requires additional security methods to protect back-end system access. Cool ICE provides additional layers of security to protect operational data and the systems it resides on, and Unisys was more than willing to make the appropriate enhancements. UBS security personnel worked with Cool ICE developers and today UBS has one of the most secure Intranets in the world.
One of the biggest advantages Cool ICE brought to UBS is quick implementation. UBS, like all banking institutions, has huge volumes of information. Without Cool ICE, it takes a very long time to get an Intranet up and running with access to operational information. By speeding up the process, Cool ICE keeps costs low while allowing UBS to build and strengthen its customer base.
Thanks to Cool ICE, UBS is taking big strides in Intranet application development. Due to the fast development cycle UBS experienced with Cool ICE, UBS plans to expand the existing application developed earlier this year. In addition, UBS hopes to implement new Risk Control applications with the same technique that has brought UBS quick and cost-effective success.
