Misys today announced that the first conference for Bankmaster users in Africa was held from 20 to 22 January at Shumba Valley Lodge and Conference Centre, Johannesburg. The objectives of the event were to allow customers to ask questions and offer feedback, while also enabling Misys to outline the latest innovations in the retail banking arena.
The user group, chaired by Peter Lunn, National Bank of Malawi, attracted 45 delegates from banks across 10 African countries. Relevant spokespeople from Misys addressed customers on complementary products, key support issues and the newest Bankmaster upgrade.
Discussion forums and question and answer sessions gave participants the opportunity to trouble-shoot and deliberate on topical issues in a friendly and open environment. Among the subjects reviewed were the efficiency of local support for user banks and the migration to the newest release of the Bankmaster software.
Managing Director of EIB International Bank plc of Nigeria, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said: "The conference was a resounding success, giving us an opportunity to debate and reflect on all the major issues facing Bankmaster users today." Peter Lunn, Head of Operations at National Bank of Malawi, confirmed that the conference had exceeded users` expectations.
Olusola E Adenuga, Assistant General Manager of the Information Communication Technology division at EIB International Bank plc, gave a customer presentation entitled "The Road to Bankmaster RS". This explained the bank`s evaluation process when looking to modernise their system, resulting in an upgrade to the latest release of Misys` Bankmaster rather than implementing a new system from one of its competitors. Key criteria included open interfacing, centralised/distributed branch processing and database technology.
The conference was held over two days and was followed by a day trip to Sun City or a popular golf venue (according to preference), all courtesy of Misys. More forums of this nature are planned in the region as part of an initiative to encourage greater communication between Misys and its customers and to ultimately build long-term partnerships.
Speaking at the event, Charles Anyaegbunam, Regional Sales Manager for Misys International Banking Systems in Africa, said: "As market challenges get tougher in the global IT market and as pressure increases for banks to respond to customer needs, Misys is poised to make the newly formed Bankmaster Africa user group `a unique force` in its future growth strategy."
It has been decided that two user groups will operate at a regional level to reflect the different geographies of Western Africa and Southern/Eastern Africa. The next conventions will be in six months time, one in Lagos, Nigeria for the Western Africa region and the other in Nairobi, Kenya for the Southern/Eastern area of Africa. There will also be a full Africa Bankmaster user group conference in Bangalore, India in one year`s time.
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Misys International Banking Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Misys plc, is one of the world`s premier suppliers of solutions to the global banking and financial services industry, with annual sales of more than lb200 million. The company has an extensive network of international branches located in 29 countries around the world and employs over 1 700 staff.
Misys International Banking Systems` product range includes solutions for wholesale and retail banking, treasury and capital markets, trade finance, private banking and risk management.
Misys plc, the global software products and solutions company, serves customers in the international banking and securities, US healthcare, and UK retail financial services sectors. The group partners with its customers to deliver outstanding IT solutions to essential industries. For the year ended 31 May 2002, Misys reported revenues in excess of lb1 billion ($1.5 billion). Misys employs more than 6 500 people internationally. For more information, visit www.misys.com.