5th bank.net 2003
International Exhibition & Conference
20 - 21 November 2003, Hotel Oberoi Towers, Mumbai

Technology heralds changes in the Indian banking industry

Leading providers of systems and solutions converged on the recently concluded 5th bank.net 2003, international exhibition and conference with a full spectrum of banking solutions. Recognising the need for banks to innovate and customise efficient delivery systems, value added services (VAS) and international services, the event showcased futuristic infrastructure and state-of-the-art technological solutions at all levels.

Numerous banking technologies and automation systems were showcased, including, retail banking solutions, data warehousing, e-commerce solutions, mobile ATMs, banknote processing machines, currency counting and sorting machines, counterfeit note detectors, document management systems, communication systems, WAP-enabled financial services, etc.

The key exhibitors at the event were: Bradma of India Ltd, Bharti Infotel Ltd. (Broadband and Data Group); CR2 Software Private Ltd.; Cincom Systems India Pvt. Ltd.; Giesecke & Devrient (India) Pvt Ltd; ITI Limited; Jingwei Industrial Corporation; KRONE Communications Ltd.; Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd., Network Solutions Limited, NextStep Infotech Pvt. Ltd.; Intellvisions Software Ltd., SDG Software Technologies, SunTec Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and TVS Electronics Limited and many more.

The cutting-edge, content-driven conference ran concurrent to the exhibition, and addressed the critical issues facing banking and financial institutions. Various high-profile international experts from the world of banking, finance, stock market, IT, insurance and regulatory sectors providing revolutionary technology solutions for efficient functioning of the banking and financial services sector made their presentations. The theme of the conference was "Indian Building Relationships through Innovations." Critical issues, such as banking reforms - the road ahead, recent trends in banking technology, cash and treasury management in India, storage in financial industry, new trends in financial settlement, securitisation: opportunities and challenges in Indian market, etc. were discussed at the conference.

Prem Behl, managing director, Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd. in his welcome address said: "The role of the banking sector in India's new e-age is undergoing a technological transformation in order to facilitate vibrant business-to-business linkages, which is the lifeline of a digital economy. Technology is the key driver to enhance productivity and forge close customer relationship through newer innovative channels. The 5thbank.net 2003 event will provide the very technological edge you need to stay competitive."

Speaking at the conference, Chanda Kochar, executive director, ICICI Bank pointed out that local banks should build on their internal capabilities and develop sustainable competitive edge to take advantage of the reforms in the banking sector, which have successfully removed structural rigidities and brought in operational flexibility. "The reform process has managed to do away structural rigidities and brought in operational flexibility, transparency and competition in ther banking sector. Banks now will have to build upon these achievements by developing these internal capabilities," she said. Banks are required to integrate human capital, knowledge, technology and speed to progressin the wake of changing customers' expectations and preference for a fast and an efficient service delivery mechanism, she added.

Jesicca Tan, general manager - enterprise sales A-PAC, Microsoft while delivering the keynote address said the companies that wants to survive the transformation to the digital economy need to prepare themselves by re-evaluating their business in light of three imperatives: creating a connected infrastructure, empowering their employees, and integrating into the everyday lives of their customers.

Infosys Technologies senior vice president and head of the banking unit GG Vaidya said banking sector has witnessed various changes in terms of technology, regulation, supervision and risk management and the critical question is how banks integrate them by adopting a balanced approach. The critical issues for the banks in India are their asset quality, technology and infrastructure and customer acquisition and retention, he said.

Some of the eminent national and international speakers at the conference were: Mr. K. Nandakumar, CEO, SunTec Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Vijay Simha, CEO, Credence Analytics (India) Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Ashok Juneja, Corporate Director, Bharti Televentures Ltd.; Mr. V.K. Ramani, President- IT, UTI Bank; Mr. T.S. Bhattacharya, Chief General Manager (PDM & PB), State Bank of India; Mr. P.C. Narayan, President - IT, Global Trust Bank; Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Head - Information Technology, IDBI Bank Ltd; Ms. Camtu Macintyre, Director, Strategic Business Unit- Financial Services, SAP Asia Pacific, Mr. Martin Whybrow, MD, IBS Publishing Co., UK; Mr. Thomas Amato, Director - Finance Industry, Network Appliance; Mr. Patrick J. Dowling Jr., Managing Director, Cincom Financial Services; Mr. Ajaz Munsiff, Regional Program Manager - Networked Storage, EMC ASEAN & India; Mr. Rajiv Sharma, CEO, Bharti Infotel Ltd. (Broadband and Data Group); Mr. Raj Menon, Executive Director, Intellvisions Software Ltd. and many more.

In India, a combination of regulatory and competitive environment, coupled with the emergence of new technologies, is enabling new competitors to enter the banking and financial services markets.

Against this background, the 5th bank.net 2003 provided the know-how about the new financial landscape, re-defined how banks and non banks approach the marketplace and each other, and helped to seek new opportunities arising out of the market developments and reforms. Infosys Technologies was the "thought leader" at the event. Other lead sponsors included, Microsoft - platinum sponsor. The key highlights were Microsoft's participation as the platinum sponsor and Infosys as the thought leader. This strategic partnership provided key inputs to identify new business investment options, collaborations and value driven delivery systems and services.

Other sponsors included, Intellvisions Software - gold sponsor; SAP India - Business Solutions Partner; Network Appliance & SunTec Business Solutions - Conference Sponsors and Bharti Infotel Limited (Broadband & Data Group), Credence Analytics (India) Pvt. Ltd., Cisco Systems (India) Pvt Ltd, EMC Data Storage Systems (India) Pvt Ltd, Euronet Worldwide, Fortune Informatics Ltd. , Mindmill Software Ltd., Newgen Software Technologies Ltd., Onward Novell Software (I) Ltd., PortWise AB, Radware Ltd. and Select Technologies Ltd. - Associate Sponsor.

The Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India and IDRBT were the co-sponsors of the event. It was endorsed by The All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and VSAT Services Association of India (VSAI), and approved by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). The Financial Express was the media partner of the event.