“Presence awareness is an extremely useful feature. Integrated with Exchange Server 2010, it immediately shows users if someone’s busy. We can now set up meetings quickly to resolve urgent issues as they arise.”

Dr. Andreas Stylianou—Infrastructure Group Head of IT at Bank of Cyprus

As the Bank of Cyprus Group expanded, it became increasingly challenging for senior executives to convene as frequently as they needed. Telephone calls weren’t as effective as face-to-face meetings, but travelling to a central location was expensive and time consuming. By deploying Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, the bank deployed a unified messaging system, streamlining communication, enhancing productivity, and cutting costs.

Business NeedsEstablished in 1899, the Bank of Cyprus was the first bank in Cyprus, and remains the largest in the country. In addition to its 143 branches in Cyprus, it also operates in Australia, Greece, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom (U.K.)—with a total of 595 branches and 12,000 staff worldwide.

When executives and managers needed to collaborate on a project or communicate with their colleagues, they occasionally met at their main offices in Cyprus or Greece. But this meant that most participants had to travel long distances to meetings, losing valuable working time in the process.

The bank needed a more effective communications infrastructure that would minimise operational costs and improve the productivity of its users. Executives wanted a computer-based system, with tools such as presence awareness making contacting colleagues quicker and easier.

SolutionTo overcome these challenges, the bank’s Group Information Technology Division evaluated several unified communications solutions and decided that Microsoft

Office Communications Server 2007 R2 would best suit the organisation’s needs. The Bank of Cyprus worked closely with Microsoft to implement both Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and Office Communications Server 2007 R2. After a month-long pilot programme with a small group of users, the company launched the solution to 100 of its senior executives. Full implementation at the head offices in Cyprus and Greece took just 15 days, with employees in branches outside Greece or Cyprus being able to access the system remotely.

Now, executives can hold videoconference calls from their desks and use presence information to set up meetings with colleagues. Dr. Andreas Stylianou, Infrastructure Group Head of IT at Bank of Cyprus, says: “Presence awareness is an extremely useful feature. Integrated with Exchange Server 2010, it immediately shows users if someone’s busy. We can now set up meetings quickly to resolve urgent issues as they arise.”

BenefitsThe bank’s new communications infrastructure has helped executives collaborate more effectively, increasing productivity while cutting costs. The

Customer: Bank of CyprusWebsite: www.bankofcyprus.comNumber of Employees: 12,000Country or Region: CyprusIndustry: Financial services—Banking

Customer ProfileThe Bank of Cyprus is the largest bank in the country, with around 12,000 employees and 595 branches in more than seven countries.

Software and Services Microsoft Office− Microsoft Office Communications

Server 2007 R2 Microsoft Server Product Portfolio− Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

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Microsoft Server Product PortfolioCustomer Solution Case Study

Bank Executives Use Unified Messaging to Collaborate with Colleagues Worldwide

system is more efficient, minimising travel time and encouraging innovative ways of serving customers.

Lower operational costs. By reducing long-distance calls, the Bank of Cyprus has dramatically cut communications costs. Executives no longer need to travel to conduct effective meetings with their colleagues, providing additional savings. The bank has seen huge advantages to this already—for example, if the country retail manager wants to talk with the district managers, they can easily set up a conference call without having to travel. The benefits of this are even more significant when collaborating between countries.

Improved employee efficiency. Executives don’t have to spend as much time travelling to and from meetings, so they’re more readily available and easy to contact when needed. Getting to some of the bank’s locations used to take an entire working day. Now, by using the conference tools they have at their desks, people can set up meetings to discuss issues as they arise.

Increased productivity. With streamlined communications tools, Bank of Cyprus executives can get more done in less time. The bank’s objective is to roll out Office Communications Server 2007 R2 to more employees across the organisation, further enhancing communication and collaboration. Everyone is more accessible now. If they need to communicate with their colleagues, they can view each other’s availability and call or send an instant message. This is a valuable benefit for a multinational business.

Innovative customer service. Implementation of unified messaging was so successful that the Bank of Cyprus is considering rolling it out to branch offices to offer expertise on a variety of subjects. And, in addition, the bank is planning to provide customers with online sessions with experts—placing employees with different specialties at each branch. Staff just contact the appropriate specialist for customers to speak to, providing a better service at an affordable price.

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Document published July 2011