IBM is talking up a $140 million investment in transaction processing platforms and services designed to ease the upgrade problems of banks as they migrate from legacy core banking software to modern Internet-based systems.
IBM's Core Systems Transformation package includes a business transformation methodology and transaction processing infrastructure for core banking, based on the vendor's flagship WebSphere software and eServer and TotalStorage systems.
As part of the programme, IBM’s Business Consulting Services unit has trained hundreds of banking specialists in the application of data models designed to help banks identify back office 'hot-spots' for phased modular renovation.
For CST, IBM is additionally enhancing WebSphere by boosting transaction processing throughput, incorporating batch processing capabilities, and extending system monitoring/management. The vendor is also working with core banking system suppliers to fine-tune their applications for integration with CST and existing enterprise systems in a service-oriented architecture.
The first CST implementation - featuring a Java-based version of Fidelity's Corebank product - is already underway at Suruga Bank in Japan.