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People's Bank wins report Award

The People's Bank was awarded "Best Core Banking Implementation and Deployment in South-Asia and Middle East" by Silverlake and IBM at the Banking Technology Summit held in Perth, Australia.

Five 5 years ago, in line with a new strategy to be more competitive and extend its services to the people, the bank chose to implement the Silverlake Integrated Banking System on the IBM System I platform.

President of Silverlake System Chee Chin Leong said, "This is indeed a very significant step People's Bank is taking in expanding its network systems to all branches. So far both we and the bank have proven to be successful in what has been implemented.

Comparatively, the service levels of People's Bank has become more dynamic, efficient and also profitable as opposed to where it was prior to the systems being implemented. We are proud to be a part of this effort to bring People's Bank on par with some of the best banks in the world. We are very happy about the consolidation."

From deposit schemes designed especially for new born infants to retirement schemes for senior citizens, lending for agriculture, fisheries and production to more consumption based individual/personal lending, this bank has, with this implementation, successfully achieved its objective, significantly increasing its revenue and profits despite intense competition within the financial services sector.

The People's Bank has over 650 branches and service centers dedicated to servicing the needs of the people. With the new Silverlake Integrated Banking System, the bank has been able to effectively expand its range of products and services, delivering in a more customer friendly and productive manner.

People's Bank is signing up to automate an additional 127 branches on the Silverlake System and consolidating their commitment to provide better products and services to their customers.

People's Bank General Manager/CEO P.V. Pathirana said, "for the last 48 years the People's Bank branch network has been one of our key strengths which has helped us to enhance our reach and thereby increase our customer base. Therefore, we have identified the need for online banking which ensures anytime-anywhere banking for the people of Sri Lanka.

Our partnership with Silverlake which started in December 2004 has so far seen 200 branches and 239 service centres being converted in order to bring the entire network under one platform.

Today we signed for another 127 branches and 90 service centres through which we can confidently say that our entire network will be geared to cater to our customers with and efficient service as it will minimize waiting time and manual work etc. Further, by adding value to the existing processes, we will now be able to allocate more staff into the field, thereby enabling them to have one-on-one interactions with the customers in order to provide real online solutions at their doorstep."

"Bankers should be in a position to predict the future, in relation to the direction of the industry and gear up to meet those changes in a timely manner. With the rapid advancement in technology, the brick and mortar bank will no longer exist. Paperless, scriptless and cashless banking will be the need of the future, and wealth management is likely to replace the normal banking functions. In this competitive environment, organizations need to "CHANGE", if not they will be left behind", said CEO/General Manager of Peoples Bank P.V. Pathirana.

Silverlake System President Mr. Chee Chin Leong and General Manager/ CEO of Peoples Bank Mr P.V Pathirana signing the agreement.

2) Silverlake System President Mr. Chee Chin Leong and General Manager/ CEO of Peoples Bank Mr P.V Pathirana exchanging the agreement after signing amidst witnesses.

The Finance Houses Assn elects chairman

Merchant Credit of Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Hafeez Rajudin a subsidiary of MBSL Group, has been elected as the Chairman of The Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka.

The Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka, an apex body that comprises 35 registered finance companies, primarily Responsible for all activities involving the proper operation of finance companies along the guidelines of the regulator- the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

It also provides a forum where finance companies and other financial institutions could voice and resolve their concerns or make representation to the authorities concerned. The Institution also liaises with other national and international institutions which may have common or similar objectives.

Standard Chartered Bank invites children

Standard Chartered Bank invited all staff members' children to enjoy an educational tour and fun filled day at the Bank, as part of its commitment to maintaining a healthy work life balance for its work force.

This activity was organized for the second consecutive year; with lot of fun activities for the kids. Approximately 90, ranging from five to 16 years were welcomed at the entrance with gifts and escorted to the SCB Learning Centre, where the event was held. The children were given a unique opportunity to visit the Bank Cash Vault and learn from their parents about the day to day operations of the Bank. They also enjoyed a visit to the bank's data centre and also enjoyed themselves at the call centre.

Art competitions, balloon games, dancing competitions and clown shows were the order of the day at the Bank as the children took over the show, visiting each department and getting a personal tour of each unit by the Managers.

Another important feature of the program was that parents were also provided a special course on parenting styles conducted by Shanthi Wijesinghe of the Competence Centre for Early Childhood Development (CCECD). Standard Chartered Bank is also the only financial institution to set up a 'Kids Care' exclusively for children of staff members.

The creche style-learning centre is made available to all the Bank's staff members who wished to have a convenient solution to their child care needs. The Centre provides children with an array of facilities including a playroom, sleeping room and activities hall. Parents have the added benefit of knowing that their children are in safe and experienced hands.

The "Kid Kare Center" and the "Kids Day at Work" are extensions of the bank's diversity and Inclusion (D&I) program.

D and I is about creating an environment where employees from all walks of life, irrespective of gender, nationality, or physical abilities, can balance work and their personal lives thus enabling them to harness their full potential. Standard Chartered Bank views D and I not merely as the 'right thing to do' and a socially responsible initiative but a business imperative, which gives them a competitive advantage.

Some of the other D&I initiatives implemented by the Bank this year included paternity leave for staff, enabling all branches to be accessible to physically disabled customers and staff, hiring of employees with physical disabilities, celebrating International Women's Day and observing all religious ceremonies.

Baby Mart in Dehiwela

Baby Mart opened its latest store in Dehiwela. The second Baby Mart store offers parents and parents-to-be infant care products.

Customers will now be able to book their items through the Dehiwela store. Baby Mart Dehiwela will also offer a five year warranty on all baby furniture while also offering free delivery and professional installation. Customers will be able to design baby furniture or choose from the many readymade designs. The Dehiwela store will also offer the Baby Mart in-store checklist of items for each mother-to-be, which was prepared in consultation with a leading gynaecologist and pre-natal specialist.

Managing Director of Baby Mart Asmer Akbar said, "We opened our very first Colombo store ten years ago, which has proven successful beyond our expectations, and we are thrilled to open our second store in Dehiwela with dedicated parking. Offering outstanding service coupled with a selection unseen elsewhere, we are highly confident that the new Dehiwela store on Galle Road is going to be a favourite destination of many. This store is just the second such store in our overall expansion plans and we hope to branch out to other areas in Colombo and Greater Colombo in the very near future."

Mrs. Yeheli Sangakkara who has been a loyal customer of Baby Mart said "As a customer it is indeed good news to me that Baby Mart is now open in Dehiwela. I find that unlike most retail stores Baby Mart offers a very stream-lined shopping experience which allows me as a customer to find the products without hassle and make the purchase with ease. The added support of the excellent sales staff, I find is what sets Baby Mart apart from other baby care stores."

Baby Mart has always committed itself to serving its customers with consideration and care. Unlike other baby care and infant stores, Baby Mart positions itself as a multi-branded store that promotes a lifestyle for babies based on love, trust and care. Its brand promise "Our Care comes second to a Mother's" will be carried by the Dehiwela store along with the characteristics of superior products, brands and service that Baby Mart is renowned for. As such the new Dehiwela store will continue to offer the best international brands such as Mother Care, Boots, Avent and Pigeon while also offering a range of the most cost-effective disposable diapers. The Baby Mart sales staff at the Dehiwela store are experienced in guiding parents and parents-to-be, to make well informed purchases rather than impulse purchases and to assist customers in choosing and differentiating between products and brands.

Beginning humbly in 1999 Baby Mart was committed to provide unparalleled quality and service through their business. This commitment has resulted in a loyal customer following which has lasted for the past decade. The product and service offering that Baby Mart brings to its customers has now been expanded with the opening of the second store. This latest expansion of its retail outlets will no doubt create added options for customers of infant care products while also meeting a growing customer need for a reliable and conveniently located baby care store.

Suso, new electric product launched

LS Electric Systems (Pvt.) Ltd., one of Sri Lanka's premier electronic equipment companies, together with their co-marketing provider Atlan International (Pvt.) Ltd introduced a new, high technology electric product to the Sri Lankan market.

The newly launched product, namely Susol is a developed version of the AIR MEC series. This was previously available on the product lists of LS Electric Systems categorized under Air Circuit Breakers (ACB) under the name MEC. The new product is an upgraded form in context of quality as well as functionality.

"Through the new changes made in the product, the operating combinations have been made easier and we believe that it will be a good competitor for similar category products manufactured in Europe," said the LS Electric Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman, Kwang Yeoul Lee. Director/ Chief Executive Officer of AKLAN International, Ravi Rupasinghe who also commented on the benefits stated that due to the high technology of the new product it can be used in various projects which require such skills.

The collaboration between LS Electric Systems and AKLAN International had initiated nearly one year ago. "Aklan International (Pvt.) Ltd is a company that concentrates their operations in the field of electrics. They were well aware of the product range we offer, the quality as well as the benefits of using them. Therefore, we chose Aklan International (Pvt.) Ltd. as the best entity to enter into a co-marketing partnership since we are able to reach out to our target markets with more convenience,' asserted Lee.

"We consider this collaboration as a good opportunity to enhance our customer service due to the high quality and functionality of the equipment offered through LS Electric systems," said Director/ Chief Executive Officer of AKLAN International, Ravi Rupasinghe.

LS Electric Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. was primarily operating under the brand Goldstar which was founded in 1974. Later in 1995, Goldstar was rebranded as LG Industrial Systems. However, in 2005 LS Electrical Systems had started operating independently under a mother company named LS Industrial Systems which solely focuses on low and medium voltage products such as MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers), isolators, UVT releases and magnetic contactors etc.

LS Industrial systems, the mother company of LS Electric Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. excels in a wide range of electric products including electric equipment and systems, automation equipment and systems as well as processed metals and car electric sub assembly which they even provide for premier car manufacturers such as Toyota and Benz.

LS Electric Systems Chairman said that they also have plans of introducing a wide range of automation equipment and systems for the markets of Sri Lanka. "The industrial sector of Sri Lanka is developing rapidly and our products that fit this category will have a lot of potential in the local markets," he said. He also added that once the company builds a solid market base, they have plans of introducing car electric sub assemblies as well.

SP CEO conclave concludes

Kaseya, a global provider of IT automation software for IT solution providers and public and private sector IT organizations, organized a three-day management workshop enabling the top 25 service providers of the country to transform their business and learn of ways to boost their company's profitability.

The event that took place from November last week in Bentota, Sri Lanka, was a first-of-its-kind 'knowledge capsule' that was put together to deliver a high level of expertise and know-how empowering India's top service Providers planning to transition to Managed Service Providers.

The SP CEO conclave witnessed an exchange thought and views on the global trends in the automated managed service business which is fast emerging as the most promising segment, in fact the way to go for the future.

Commenting on the same Girish Krishnamurthy, Managing Director, Kaseya India said, "We are operating in a dynamic marketplace, one driven by fast-changing equations. Businesses are increasingly dependant on IT infrastructure and are under constant pressure to reduce time cycles, increase profit margins and efficiency, which in turn exerts pressure on Service Providers. Service Providers can no longer afford to be reactive, but will have to pre-empt, prepare and prevent downtimes of IT infrastructures to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of organizations.

As a global leader offering IT Automation tools and services, Kaseya has made an attempt through this workshop to help service providers make this transition to achieve more success, profitability, and more importantly create more satisfied customers.".

Minister for Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitarana said: "This year has been declared by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the year of English and ICT.

We have a special drive to broaden the roots of ICT within Sri Lanka. In this context, the SP CEO Conclave organized by Kaseya in Sri Lanka is a testimony for the immense opportunities that are emerging in our country. I hope this CEO Conclave, will help Service Providers enable the effective use and management of software from a business point of view and enable them to successfully perform to both of our advantages,"

The SP CEO Conclave also offered an in-depth view on how Automated Managed Services can help companies proactively monitor, manage, and control IT assets, remotely and efficiently from one integrated web-based platform.