AIB moves 7,500 workers to Sun’s Java Desktop


29 Jun 2004

Allied Irish Bank (AIB) has signed a deal with Sun Microsystems to migrate more than 7,500 workers and branch-dependant applications across its entire branch network to Sun’s Java Desktop System (JDS). The move represents the first win for the Sun JDS in the European financial market sector.

The deal was signed in collaboration with Sun’s local partner in Ireland Horizon Open Systems.

Through the deal AIB branch staff in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK will transfer to the JDS during 2005 as part of AIB’s New Branch Banking Platform. JDS includes Sun’s StarOffice productivity suite as a key component, as well as file and printing interoperability.

AIB chose the JDS for its integrated client environment based on open source components and industry standards. As part of the deal, Sun’s service organisation will provide technology consulting, support and education services.

The JDS 2, which shipped in May, is designed to lower computing costs and reduce desktop management complexities, whilst providing a familiar and secure environment. The JDS is also available on Linux and is scheduled to be a available on the Solaris operating system and on thin-client solutions from Sun.

The JDS technology has already been adopted as part of major government rollouts in the UK, China as well as major PC retail bundles with Wal-Mart in the US.

Commenting on the deal with AIB, Curtis Sasaki, vice-president of Desktop Solutions with Sun, said: “The global momentum for the JDS continues at a rapid pace because of its affordability, enhanced security, manageability and interoperability.

“We are very pleased to have AIB as a client of Sun and see growing demand in the financial, education and government markets. With Java Desktop System, Release 2, the enhanced manageability enables chief information officers fine grain configuration and access to the desktops,” he said.

By John Kennedy