HSBC can now reduce the cost of using different bespoke
software systems in different parts of the world through a
technology package.
The bank stressed the importance of linking up technology and
processes across the banks businesses as it announced a massive 28%
drop in profits for the first six months of 2008.
HSBC recorded a pre-tax profit of £5.2bn, down £2bn on the
first half of 2007.
The bank's One HSBC programme aims to establish common computer
systems across business units and regions.
"We can now deploy One HSBC systems in a country as a fully
integrated package," said a spokesman. "This is particularly
beneficial in our emerging markets as the suite reduces bespoke
software costs as well as producing operating benefits."
In the first half of 2008,
HSBC integrated the technology in Poland, Brunei, Australia,
Russia, Chile, Indonesia and Slovakia and will complete the same
process in seven more countries in the second half of the year.
The bank described One HSBC as a way of "re-engineering the
company so, wherever possible, we use global systems which provide
leading customer experience and also drive down the cost of
production".
It has a One HSBC call centre as well as a single platform known
as HSBC Cards, which manages three-quarters of the company's
credit-card users.
These platforms help the bank achieve a
single view of customers, which is one of the main IT
challenges facing banks.
