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Commercial banks

Westfalenbank Chooses Sun Microsystems for Network Computing

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Westfalenbank, a privately-held regional bank in Germany, has announced its decision to implement network computing systems from Sun Microsystems Computer Company. The bank plans to replace its proprietary minicomputer environment with an open UNIX environment, led by the SPARCserver 1000 platform. This strategic decision is part of Westfalenbank's efforts to re-engineer its data center and provide better services to its customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Westfalenbank will use Sun Microsystems' network computing systems to replace its proprietary minicomputer environment in its data center.
  • The bank will implement an open UNIX environment, led by the SPARCserver 1000 platform, to support customer-specific applications and standard database applications.
  • Two additional host systems in the data center will be replaced with scalable Sun UNIX multiprocessor servers by mid-1996.
  • The applications running on these systems include stock option, foreign exchange, and decision support programs, as well as front- and back-office applications.
  • Westfalenbank will also implement real-time online services to provide news and stock rating information.
  • Peter Goelzenleuchter, manager of the networking and open systems department at Westfalenbank, cited cost-effectiveness and support as key factors in the decision to choose Sun Microsystems' systems.
  • Westfalenbank's data center will be equipped with a disaster recovery center that is completely self-supporting and networked via fiber optic cables.

Statistics:

  • Westfalenbank plans to replace two more host systems in the data center with scalable Sun UNIX multiprocessor servers by mid-1996.
  • The data center will support real-time online services providing news and stock rating information.
  • The SPARCserver 1000 platform will be the initial system for porting customer-specific applications as well as standard database applications from legacy systems.
  • The bank believes that this project will allow it to build a completely self-supporting data center with disaster recovery capabilities.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, July 25, 1995
  • Sun Microsystems Computer Company
  • Deutsche Hypotheken und Wechsel Bank
  • Westfalenbank

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