14 DAY TRIAL // When it needed to offer its corporate customers a streamlined integrated interface in tune with their particular needs and workflow, Citi chose Microsoft technology to power its global transaction services. The duo announced on September 15th, 2009 the availability of the CitiDirect BE e-banking platform, designed to leverage a variety of the Redmond-based company’s software solutions. However, both Microsoft and Citi’s Global Transaction Services (GTS) chose to emphasize the integration of Office SharePoint Server 2007 into CitiDirect BE.
Gary Greenwald, chief innovation officer and global head of Capabilities and Information Products at Citi, noted that CitiDirect BE was designed to come as a response to institutional clients that required increased transparency and control over their capital flows. Not only this, but the new Citi platform also provides a banking platform, which boosts client liquidity, as well as treasury and supply chain process efficiency.
“The challenging global economy and credit-constrained environment is driving demand for a comprehensive solution addressing these elements. Working with our best clients, we’ve created CitiDirect BE to address these needs, both for corporations as well as for banks, who are able to offer this innovative service to their clients on a white-labeled basis, under their own brand, reducing upfront IT costs,” Greenwald revealed.
With the integration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, CitiDirect BE is set up to offer corporate customers a range of additional services on top of financial transactions. In this regard, Microsoft is promising that the platform delivers analytic capabilities, self-service modules, and even rich media features.
“This engagement aligns with our enterprise market strategy of driving integrated customer experiences,” added Susan Hauser, vice president of Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft. “Our collaboration is a unique opportunity for Microsoft to help financial services institutions realize a better customer-connected experience because Citi will have access to a virtual lab of engineering thought leaders, and have direct influence over enterprise product road maps.”