News and Media

Unisys to Help New Zealand's PSIS Enhance Banking Services with Service Oriented Architecture

Transformational initiative relies on Unisys services and real-time infrastructure

Wellington, December 10, 2008 — Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) announced today that its New Zealand subsidiary and New Zealand financial services cooperative PSIS have signed an agreement under which Unisys will assist PSIS to implement its Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) solution to help PSIS improve the efficiency of its operations and enhance services to its customers. The four-year contract also includes project management, systems integration and infrastructure services supporting the initiative.

SOA is an architectural approach which closely aligns information technology (IT) infrastructure with business processes by enabling applications to exchange information more readily. This approach is designed to allow an organization to respond more quickly and cost-effectively to changing market and business conditions, deliver new IT projects faster at a lower cost, leverage existing IT investments and reduce ongoing IT expenditures.

“By continually implementing IT enhancements we can maintain an edge in technology and provide expanded services to help customers protect their financial assets,” said Annette Natta, general manager of Information Services at PSIS.

Implementation of a new financial lending module is the first phase of the project, followed by replacement of the core transaction system and implementation of a number of new ancillary systems.

Delivery of services under the four-year contract began in October. Over the next four years PSIS has options for Unisys to provide additional services as required.

“Banks in New Zealand, like financial institutions everywhere, need to continue to meet customer needs and be well positioned for growth,” said Brett Hodgson, managing director, Unisys New Zealand. “With our proven ability to provide solutions for more secure operations, reduce complexity and increase productivity, Unisys has become a partner of choice for many financial institutions.”

“This SOA initiative will improve PSIS’ information processes and provide it with an underlying architecture that will allow changes to be implemented more easily,” said Mr. Hodgson.

The foundation of the SOA for PSIS is systems and a software architecture designed to help PSIS leverage real-time infrastructure in which IT resources efficiently handle rapid changes in business requirements while reducing costs and making complexity transparent to users. The contract comprises:

  • Two Unisys ClearPath Libra Model 690 mainframe-class servers;
  • The Unisys e-Portal solution set, an integrated specialty processor for the ClearPath systems that provides transparent web services and support for mobile devices;
  • Two EMC Storage Area Networks (SAN);
  • Data transfer/backup hardware and software; and
  • Two Unisys ES7000 Model 7405R Enterprise Servers running the Microsoft Windows operating environment. These feature new Rapid Virtualization Indexing technology, which improves efficiency and optimizes virtualization performance.

The project represents the latest stage in a 40-year business relationship between Unisys and PSIS.

About PSIS

PSIS is a financial services co-operative which was established over 80 years ago, making it one of the longest-serving financial institutions in New Zealand.

PSIS offers a full range of personal banking products and services including: savings accounts, current accounts, call accounts, term deposits, bonds, overdrafts, Creditline accounts, home loans, vehicle loans, personal loans, insurance products and internet, telephone and text banking to all New Zealanders. For more information visit www.psis.co.nz.

About Unisys

Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. We provide a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients. We specialize in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilization of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernize their enterprise applications. To provide these services and solutions, we bring together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology. With approximately 24,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organizations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

###

RELEASE NO: 1210/8936

Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Contacts

Media Contact, Australia:
Claire Hosegood,0411 256 663
claire.hosegood@au.unisys.com

Media Contact:
Brian Daly,215-986-2214
Brian.Daly@unisys.com

Botica Butler Raudon Contact:
Fred Russo,64 (0) 9 303 3862
fredr@botica.co.nz