Cloud Services and Capability IN CIMB BANK

The CIMB – MSF division can adopt three basic types of cloud services, defined by NSIT and it is also accepted by the business industry.

Cloud Services

Software as a Services

Software applications like ERP, collaboration that runs on the service provider IT infrastructure and delivers to the organization through the internet by way renting the software applications

Platform as a Service

The user organization can access the hardware platform and operating system over the internet on a pay-per-use basis.

Infrastructure as a Service

It is cloud computing platform which allow user organization to storage, process and networking through the service provided IT infrastructure by way of on a pay-per-use model.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Reduced cost – Cloud technology is paid incrementally, saving organizations money. The organization is able to plan the needed expenses more wisely. By cloud computing the cost is proportion to the requirement.

Increased Storage - Organizations can store more data than on private computer systems.

Highly Automated - No longer do IT personnel need to worry about keeping software up date and backup. Cloud computing will automatically do the update and backup the system giving the organization more time to do business than fixing the problems on its own.

Flexibility - Cloud computing offers much more flexibility than past computing methods.

More Mobility - Employees can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks from morning till evening which is tiring and sometimes a boring job. The cloud made the business go mobile.

Allows IT to Shift Focus - No longer having to worry about constant server updates and other computing issues, organizations will be free to concentrate on innovation and research and development. This help business and product growth in the long run.

CIMB / MSF IT Strategy, Infrastructure & Cost

Transaction processing system (TPS) - A system that store, modify and retrieve the transactions of MSF. However, all TPS must pass through atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability, otherwise known as the ACID test.

Decision support system (DSS) & executive support system (ESS) - DSS is a decision support system for middle level management and executive support system is for higher management. DSS and ESS not only provide better judgement, the system also enable "what if" analysis, which we can create several scenario to get the best desired result. Below is a diagram of DSS which consist of MIS. In order for a DSS or ESS to be created MSF must first have MIS, TPS and DBMS as all these systems are interrelated. An example of such software can be found at Vanguard Software corporation (www.vanguardsw.com) However, not all managerial roles are supportive using either DSS or ESS such as interpersonal role as a leader, decisional roles in a conflict between staff.

Management information system (MIS) - Report exceptional conditions, such as when the sales quota for a specific territory fall below an anticipated level or high staff turn-over for a certain department. MSF do not have MIS as report generated only upon request of individual.

Database management system (DBMS)- is a software package with computer programs that control the creation, maintenance and the use of a database. DBMS will allow MSF conveniently develope databases for various applications by database administrators (DBAs). A DBMS also provides facilities for controlling data access, enforcing data intergrity, managing concurrency control, recovering the database after failures and restoring it from backup files as well as maintaining database security.

Opportunity in internet banking can be explore as there is no sales link or "contact us" link uploaded in CIMB Bank website, CIMB internet banking more known as CIMB Clicks does not provide any leads to MSF nor does it provide contact details of MSF. MSF should explore the business opportunity in internet banking by creating a website for MSF.

There is also demand for detail breakdown of incentive paid to sales staff. At this moment, no detail breakdown of incentive paid even in CIMB intranet and extranet, Human Resource Information System HRIS https://hris.cimb.com

4.2 CIMB / MSF Business Strategy

MSF five year vision is to be the best in class sales organisation with a passion for exceeding expectations. Best in class sales organisation means number one mobile sales force in Malaysia and in sales productivity among our region peers. In order to achieve this long term five years plan, MSF will need to improve it present information system and possibility of setting up its own IT department.

4.3 CIMB / MSF Information Technology (IT) Strategy, Infrastructure & Cost

MSF does not have an IT strategy but are using 400 desktops and 200 laptops. Giving an example of setting up a MSF office will easily cost more than MYR100,000. Below are the example of the breakdown costs:

Hardware acquisition - Each brand new desktop cost about MYR3,000.

Software acquisition - License software for Microsoft windows and office cost about MYR2,000 each desktop.

Installation - Installing an office of 5 desktop cost about MYR10,000.

Training - Training cost can be diversified as senior staff of MSF can train new recruits.

Support - Support cost had been diversified as all IT technical support are provided by CIMB IT department, GIOD.

Information Technology Assessment

CIMB Group spent MYR108 million last year for IT which is the highest among all other banking peers. Despite the large number, CIMB MSF still using some computer unit with windows XP instead of window Vista or 7, Intel pentium4 processor instead of Intel core processor and monitor screen instead of liquid crystal display (LCD). Most of CIMB group IT spending is on developing of a new CRM known as 1 View. However, the 1 View CRM is not provided to MSF.