Callataÿ & Wouters secured the deal after seeing off its competitors during a tender process in which the strength of its customer approach through its flagship banking system, Thaler, came to the fore. With technology platform SAP already in the loop at the financial institution, Thaler will provide EPT with a core banking package that will improve its internal processes and better meet regulatory requirements.

In looking for a new solution, EPT wanted a system that would be easier to use and manage as well as increase its business efficiency. The financial institution selected Thaler on SAP because it is not only a complete banking package but also presents an entire solution to meet the financial institution's need for service commitment. The deal also covers Thaler B2C, the Internet Banking solution from Callataÿ & Wouters that will progressively replace the current solution allowing EPT clients to benefit from ongoing technological developments.

Along with its International Service Desk to help support customers around the world, Callataÿ & Wouters' strong presence in Luxembourg meant that EPT could be confident in its knowledge of the marketplace and assistance when needed. As well as handling all front-to-back office operations, Thaler on SAP can also better adapt to new regulations introduced in Luxembourg.

EPT signed the contract with Callataÿ & Wouters on December 19th, 2008, after a detailed selection process, during which several other vendors were considered. Callataÿ & Wouters will manage a business re-engineering project as well as act as a prime contractor providing local support and customer service.

Thaler is a scalable core banking system that includes functionality for deposits, loans, securities, treasury and payments as well as multi-channel distribution modules. It is designed to run either as an end-to-end solution, covering the entire range of core banking activiities, or on a modular basis to support individual lines of business. Deployed on the SAP NetWeaver technology platform, Thaler adopts an enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA) offering the ability to integrate with third party solutions, and the ability to add a broad range of features and functionalities. Completely preconfigured and easy to implement, this powerful solution can support a wide range of client preferences and investment choices.

In 2007, Callataÿ & Wouters signed a strategic deal with SAP to deliver Thaler on the SAP platform and integrate it with SAP's solutions for finance and risk management. SAP and Callataÿ & Wouters bring together the strength of SAP's flexible and agile platform and analytical banking solutions along with the expertise and capabilities of Callataÿ & Wouters, providing banks with a solid IT foundation.

Jos Glod, Deputy Director General, EPT, commented: "Having visited several Callataÿ & Wouters' customers, we were very impressed by the positive feedback on the involvement of the Callataÿ & Wouters teams and its commitment to the customer's success. We were further convinced by Callataÿ & Wouters' local project team and the proposal of solid commitments in terms of planning and budget mastering."

Marc De Groote, CEO, Callataÿ & Wouters, adds: "This is the great conclusion of a strategic sales process involving many Callataÿ & Wouters' consultants, pre-sales and management representatives. It's a significant deal for us in that it endorses our SAP partnership approach and the strength of our combined offering which enables banks to comply with ever changing regulation and have the systems and support in place to do so."