Infosys, Computer Warehouse Group unveil Finacle 10

Asian software giant, Infosys Technologies Limited in collaboration with the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) subsidiary, the ExpertEdge Software and Systems Limited, has launched the latest version of its Finacle version 10 application in Lagos.

This, the company said, heralds the beginning of series of unveiling for Finacle version 10 in the West African region.

Speaking at the event, the Associate Vice President and Head, Europe, Middle East and Africa market for Finacle at Infosys, Mr. Amit Dua, said that the Finacle version 10 is a universal banking solution brought to the door steps of banks in the sub-region.

He also said that this reiterates Finacle’s global leadership in banking transformation, and noted that seven Tier-1 and 2 banks around the world have already rested their trust on Finacle 10 as a solution to power their domestic and international operations.

Dua explained that the new version would enable banks to transform their multi-country operations through a standard platform and processes.

According to him, Finacle version 10 comes with a set of 5000 parameters and an enhanced scripting studio to deliver rapid product innovation, just as the new version also brings with it a whole new set of offerings including Islamic banking, wealth management and an enhanced mobile banking solution.

“With Finacle 10, Infosys offers banks in the region an agile, scalable, proven solution that lowers total cost of ownership and accelerates time to market,” Dua said.

He noted that West African banks are now being challenged with increasingly complex internal and external environments that require greater business agility, a reduced cost structure and minimum risk.

“Finacle’s powerful architectural foundation enables banks to rapidly respond to changing customer demands and a competitive market landscape. We have invested over $60 million in the last three years to build a state of the art banking solution,” he disclosed.

Stressing that Infosys strong commitment towards the West African market, along with strong alliances for surrounding implementation services, and dangling before banks a truly differentiated offering.

He pointed out that with the estimated 278 million mobile phones on the continent, mobile banking is predicted to grow in a big way in Africa.

“Africa today has an estimated 90 per cent unbanked population and with an estimated 230 million unbanked households, solutions like mobile banking and financial inclusion that enable banks to reach out to the unbanked are also expected to open doors of opportunity for banks in the region,” he said.

He noted that Infosys has had a long standing partnership with Computer Warehouse Group for the West Africa market.

Also speaking, the group Managing Director, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere, said that his firm and Infosys have worked together in sales and support of banking solutions for a large number of banks in the country by using CWG world class integration services and Infosys’ portfolio of banking solutions and services, thus the two companies help banks to address changing business and technology cycles as well as assist them in achieving a unique competitive edge.

He noted that as a leader in banking transformation, Finacle has a global footprint across 61 countries and has been acknowledged by top analysts including Gartner, Forrester and Celent among the leaders of the core banking solution space.
MultiChoice boosts Ogun with 10 resource centres

Leading Digital Satellite Pay TV operator in the country, MultiChoice Nigeria, has commissioned 10 additional educational resource centres in Ogun State.
This brings to 91 the total number of educational resource centres across the nation powered by the company in its efforts at enhancing education through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The MultiChoice Resource Centre project is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of MultiChoice in which the company provides secondary schools with Digital Satellite Television (DStv) decoders, television sets, stabilizers, video recorders, generators, chairs and tables, and a bouquet of 6 educational channels among others.

Speaking at the commissioning held at the African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Commissioner for Education, Professor Segun Awonusi expressed happiness at the MultiChoice resource centre initiative, thanking all stakeholders who collaborated to make the project a possibility in Ogun State for a job well done.

He assured MultiChoice Nigeria and its project partner, SchoolNet Nigeria, that the centres will be well maintained and put to optimal use by all students in the state.

Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, MultiChoice, Ade Adefeko, said at the occasion that Multichoice is very committed to Nigeria’s educational development, stressing that plans are on to extend the resource centre project to as many schools as practicable, so as to create sustainable relationships with stakeholders all over the country.

He also disclosed that MultiChoice is focused on leveraging its expertise and assets for development and growth of African communities through education.

“In line with the strategy, therefore, MultiChoice aims to contribute towards the development of Nigerian communities, support human capital development, and as well contribute towards bridging the digital divide,” he said.

Adefeko further said that ICTs have the potential to enhance and support various developmental goals while also acting as catalyst for improving the quality of education.

Expressing the appreciation of the company to the Ogun State Government, the SchoolNet Nigeria, and all the principals of beneficiary schools, Adefeko promised that MultiChoice would not relent in its effort to give back to the community, as plans are on-going to launch initiatives in other areas, especially on health related projects.

In her speech, Assistant National Coordinator, SchoolNet Nigeria, Mrs. Ronke Bello, said the MultiChoice resource centre initiative is designed to grant beneficiary schools access to education bouquet on DStv with the aim of integrating the programmes into their curriculum, as this will further enhance the teaching and learning processes in the classrooms.

She stated that SchoolNet Nigeria conducted a 3-day Teacher-Training programme for selected teachers from the beneficiary schools from October 27 to 29, adding that the teachers who are now regarded as Master-Trainers, would have the task of training their colleagues on how to utilize the facilities.

She pointed out that SchoolNet Nigeria has also developed a MultiChoice Resource Centre Educator’s Guide to aid the teachers and schools on the use and maintenance of the resource centres as well as its integration into the curriculum.


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