FNB extends PPO in SA, Africa

More than five years since its initial deployment, Post Vision Research's Project Portfolio Office has proven to be an indispensable project management tool at one of South Africa's major financial services institutions, First National Bank.

Major financial re-engineering project

Primarily deployed to govern a major financial re-engineering project, PPO has subsequently bolstered its role at FNB to become a tool-of-choice and an integral component in assisting the financial services institution's project management requirements in numerous business areas at both national and African level.

The solution recently demonstrated its sophisticated innovation and ease of functionality at FNB's Online banking business, a Web-based electronic banking solution that offers its customers the benefit of direct, secure and real-time electronic access to FNB accounts, as then as the possibility to manage finances anytime, anywhere.

Guy Jelley, CEO at Post Vision Innovation, says FNB Online selected PPO due to the ease of use, extensive functionality and value for money proposition - as demonstrated in past PPO deployments at FNB.

As part of PPO's strategy to expand into Africa, Post Vision Research took on the responsibility to deploy PPO at FNB Botswana. Says Jelley: “Over the past decade and longer, Africa has undergone a tremendous transformation, which has resulted in a large amount of growth and development in its socio-economic and political landscape. This change has as well opened the business conduits for companies, especially those within the telecommunication and financial services sectors, wanting to operate in Africa and be part of the vast opportunities the continent and its emerging economy offers.”

He says that a distinct benefit for Post Vision Innovation's expansion into Africa is that PPO is a Web-based, enterprise capable application in other words designed, developed and supported in South Africa, conclusively, dependency on third party suppliers is eliminated, ensuring real-time connectivity, reliability and support to African users.

“To date, our African-client base in the financial arena has grown. We have observed that this growth is mainly owing to the fact that PPO allows all African data to remain on the continent and our sophisticated software makes interactive communication with end users - including remote training and support - simple and effective,” says Jelley.

Chief information officer at FNB Botswana, Lehuka Maseng, oversaw the deployment and says that the project management team found an ideal fit in PPO. The solution as well turned out to play a large role in the creation of FNB Botswana's new business model, which had been designed to enhance customer service in the region.

“The strength of PPO as project management tool speaks for itself. We do, now, feel privileged that the tool is receiving such positive feedback and is being utilised fully within FNB. It's a business relationship we hope to grow furthermore,” concludes Jelley.