Standard Chartered leads the industry with strategic move to iPhone
LONDON, 20 May 2010 -Setting new standards in enterprise mobility, Standard Chartered today confirmed that it has adopted the iPhone as its smartphone of choice globally, one of the first and biggest corporate entities to do so on such a large scale.
The Bank expects to complete the device rollout by July 2010. It currently provides mobile devices to over 8,000 employees and this number is expected to grow to around 15,000 by the end of the year. Dispersed across 70 countries and typically on the move, these employees will reap significant benefits from the blended work-life capabilities of the iPhone.
"We're all about moving forward," said Jan Verplancke, CIO and Group Head of Technology and Operations for Standard Chartered, "and we believe that giving people complete mobile access to the systems they need to do their job will dramatically increase productivity and employee satisfaction. Time is a commodity in our business. To remain responsive to our customers, we have to be able to connect to the office wherever we are, at any given time."
The Bank will address the dearth in robust enterprise apps available today with a strategy for developing its own internal apps. In the near future, Standard Chartered staff can look forward to apps that allow them to collaborate online and organise their work on-the-go. The Bank is also testing customer relationship management (CRM) apps that enable staff to better serve customers in real-time. The Bank has already put in place additional authentication measures for its iPhones, so that each device complies with stringent security policies.
Investing for growth
Standard Chartered's plans to continually expand its apps portfolio will accelerate the pace of innovation at the Bank.
At the 14th Annual Webby Awards last month, Standard Chartered won the People's Voice Award for Integrated Mobile Experience, the first bank to win in this category. The winning entry was Huddle, an application that uses real-time messaging to make conferences more interactive and engaging. The Webby Awards are widely known as "The Oscars of the Internet".
The Bank also recently launched Breeze, an iPhone app that takes a fresh and unique approach to mobile banking. Designed entirely from the mobile customer's perspective, the app marries an uncluttered, user-friendly interface with a robust set of features – a strategy that seems to have worked, with the app registering over 16,000 downloads within a few weeks. Breeze is currently available in Singapore and the Bank plans to roll it out in at least three more markets by the end of the year.
With these investments, Standard Chartered is well positioned to create even more exciting opportunities for its community. "Ultimately, it's about creating a more rewarding and satisfying experience for our staff and customers," said Jan.
For further information please contact:
Haya Mashhood
Head, Corporate Affairs
Standard Chartered Bank
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Tel: +974 4248450
Fax: +974 4248111
Mobile: +974 5847178
Email: Haya.Mashhood@sc.com
Notes to Editors
Red Herring Prospectus
Standard Chartered PLC is proposing, subject to market conditions and other considerations, a public issue of Indian Depository Receipts representing its equity shares and has filed a Red Herring Prospectus with the Registrar of Companies. The Red Herring Prospectus is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in and the respective websites of the Book Running Lead Managers at www.ubs.com/indian-dr, www2.goldmansachs.com/worldwide/india, www.jmfinancial.in, www.dspml.com, www.kotak.com, www.sbicaps.com and on the website of the Co- Book Running Lead Manager at www.standardchartered-wealthmanagers.co.in.
Standard Chartered – leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered PLC is a leading international bank, listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets and earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This geographic focus and commitment to developing deep relationships with clients and customers has driven the Bank's growth in recent years.
With 1700 branches and outlets in more than 70 markets, Standard Chartered offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for more than 75,000 staff. The bank is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and aims for the highest standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. This heritage and these values are expressed in its brand promise, 'Here for good'.
For more information on Standard Chartered, please visit www.standardchartered.com