BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the Philippines, initiated an extraordinary digital transformation journey four years ago, positioning itself as a leader in the country's evolving digital banking landscape. Paul Siy, CTO and Head of Infrastructure Operations at BDO Unibank, shares the story of this remarkable journey.
Adapting to the new normal
With over 5,000 ATMs nationwide and a market capitalization of approximately US$12.7 billion, BDO stands as the Philippines' top bank. Despite its success, the onset of the pandemic underscored the necessity of digital services. As Paul Siy explains, "We were beginning to see the digital transformation of the banking industry as a whole... digital transformation was something that we had to prioritize." BDO swiftly overcame the initial challenges, deploying remote access tools and enhancing digital banking capabilities, ensuring uninterrupted service for clients.
BDO partnered with Huawei to replace traditional wired connections with an enterprise Wi-Fi network. This upgrade provided greater mobility and convenience to users, fostering enhanced collaboration within the organization. Furthermore, Huawei's contribution allowed seamless database replication between data centers, further supporting BDO's digital transformation efforts.
Addressing financial inclusion and market challenges
Financial inclusion presented a significant challenge in the Philippines, with around 60% of the population lacking access to financial services. BDO recognized the importance of expanding access to financial services and helping the unbanked and underbanked. Paul Siy acknowledges, "We are moving towards a digital transaction-based economy, but there is still a long way to go." Nevertheless, progress is evident, with the government implementing initiatives to promote financial inclusion.
BDO's strategy and infrastructure transformation
BDO's digital transformation strategy revolves around SaaS adoption, cloud migration, and on-premise solutions. Approximately 40% of workloads are now in the cloud, with private and public cloud environments playing a vital role. Huawei's support enabled real-time replication between data centers, ensuring operational resilience and business continuity. Furthermore, BDO implemented data center replication to enable seamless database synchronization, and a project was initiated to migrate backups to modern storage media, enhancing data management and backup processes.
Embracing environmental sustainability
BDO Unibank's commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in its reduced carbon footprint. The institution modernized its infrastructure and adopted energy-efficient technologies, significantly decreasing power consumption. By embracing these initiatives, BDO aims to contribute to a greener future for the community and the environment.
The future of storage and AI
Paul Siy acknowledges the evolving technology landscape, particularly the integration of AI with storage. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to accommodate AI-powered applications, ensuring that advanced storage solutions can meet their requirements.
BDO Unibank's digital transformation journey serves as a testament to its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a focus on providing exceptional customer experiences and addressing the challenges of financial inclusion, BDO continues to evolve and embrace emerging technologies. As they navigate the future, BDO Unibank remains dedicated to shaping the digital banking landscape in the Philippines, empowering individuals and contributing to the nation's progress.
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