Sify Powers UCO Bank with a Robust Network

Sify provided a MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) based Layer 3 VPN solution to UCO Bank for the first 250 locations. Sify established a robust dual NOC connectivity along with Hot Standby Routers & Firewalls at the central location to ensure that the central server site is available 24x7.

Founded in 1943, UCO Bank is a fast emerging financial institution with a sustained growth of business and profitability. This Public Sector commercial bank places high importance to the upgradation of the skills of its staff and the use of current technology for effective collaboration. Headquartered in Kolkata, the bank has 34 Regional Offices (ROs) spread all over India and a network of more than 2000 service units including specialised and computerised branches in India and overseas.

Report Structure

The branches located in a geographical area report to ROs that are headed by Senior Executives. The ROs in turn report to General Managers (Operation), who are based at the Kolkata HO.

Business Challenge :

The bank felt the need for networking all its ROs through a high-bandwidth network to facilitate speedier interaction and decision making process. The senior management of the bank was convinced that it should go for a corporate Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for the data and voice connectivity.To begin with the bank was planning to connect its HO with its 34 RO and 215 branches for the purpose of banking application access. Besides, the bank was looking for establishing VoIP connectivity between its ROs and the HO. After a thorough evaluation of the service providers, UCO Bank selected Sify for its expertise in VPN and VoIP network and cost effective solution.

Solution Description

UCO Bank had a central location in Kolkata which had all the servers for the various banking business applications. Sify established a robust dual NOC connectivity along with Hot Standby Routers & Firewalls at the central location to ensure that the central server site is available 24x7. For providing a cost effective connectivity solution for branches, Sify along with UCO Bank mapped the data traffic requirement and the traffic pattern between various branches and the regional office. Then, it classified the branches under three categories (high, moderate and low) depending on the intensity of the traffic flow. Sify came up with a Hub and Spoke model of connecting all the branches to the Sify Network Centre (SNC) but through different connectivity modes. The branches with high traffic were connected to the nearest SNC through a Leased Line and ISDN backup. The branches with moderate traffic were connected to the SNC through ISDN and PSTN dialup, while the branches with low traffic through PSTN dialup. Some of the UCO Bank branches already had VSAT-based connectivity for the ATMs. With the establishment of Sify connection, these branches now have dual connectivity: one through the existing VSAT and the other through the new Sify link. The traffic from SNC is then routed over the Sify Network ultimately to the UCO Bank's HO.

Implementation Challenges

Dependency on an external service provider: For last mile connectivity, the Bank had to depend on an external, public-sector bandwidth service provider (BSP). Initially, the BSP could not provide the leased line in some locations, especially at Kolkatta. However, Sify built the last mile on wireless broadband. Vendor Management: Sify took the responsibility to arrange for a large number of necessary networking equipments and deliver them to respective UCO Bank locations on time. Sify also arranged for the demand note payment for leased line, involving itself in a number of coordination activities in getting the necessary information from the field and in following up with the order processing team to ensure the despatch of the demand draft on time. User Training: A large number of the bank's staff did not have exposure to VPN and VoIP operations. Sify conducted 2-day workshops at Calcutta, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar to sensitize the users on the importance of the project and to bring awareness on their reponsibilties.