Computerworld

Gen-i builds NZ IT environment for Chinese bank

The solutions deployed over the last six months include multiple internet services, WAN services over fibre, and data centre componentry. Gen-i has also provided ICBC’s servers, networking infrastructure, PCs and video-conferencing equipment.

Gen-i has deployed solutions and supported the formation of a local environment for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which opened its first office in New Zealand recently.

According to the company, the solutions deployed over the last six months include multiple internet services, WAN services over fibre, and data centre componentry such as racking, cooling and power management. Gen-i has also provided ICBC’s servers, networking infrastructure, PCs and video-conferencing equipment.

“Setting up a new bank is not an easy process, and while the ICBC is a major international bank, their set-up team had a relatively small level of resource, so were in need of the best local expertise to meet the requirements of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand,” said Gen-i’s GM for corporate clients, Steve Mills.

The ICBC needed to show that they had a working local IT test environment with connectivity back to China. Mills said Gen-i provided this at their own site, while building an on premise data centre for ICBC in the PwC building in Auckland, with the help of partners APC and Westcon.

“We developed a strong working relationship with ICBC that was built on trust, which helped make the set-up process as simple as possible for ICBC and delivered cost effective solutions,” Mills added.

According to the company, Gen-i worked alongside ICBC to design and configure their telecommunications (voice and internet), networking, and data centre infrastructure needs. It also supported ICBC with the equipment and environment they needed to carry out technical tests during the registration process with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

The ICBC currently has a presence in six continents, across 40 countries and regions.