Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:JKHY) is a leading provider of technology solutions and payment processing services primarily for the financial services industry. Its Symitar division today announced that DHCU Community Credit Union has implemented Microsoft Office 365, acquiring the technology directly from its core provider.
The $450 million Illinois-based credit union has been on Symitar's Episys platform for almost 15 years and recently migrated to EASE, the Episys outsourced solution. Having also outsourced other systems, DHCU Community Credit Union sought to do the same with its communications server, which was overdue for an upgrade. The credit union recognized the immediate cost savings to run a hosted solution, including the elimination of licensing, ongoing hardware updates, and required internal IT resources. Acquiring Office 365 from Symitar also means DHCU Community Credit Union will receive ongoing support directly from its core provider.
Nadine Coon, IT manager for DHCU Community Credit Union, explained, "Exchange licensing, routine upgrades, and general IT maintenance are costly, but Office 365 eliminates those expenses and enables our tech staff to focus on other projects. We can also be assured that we have a reliable service network by entrusting all support to Symitar."
Since moving to Office 365, DHCU Community Credit Union has entirely transformed its operating environment. Simple administrative tasks are no longer cumbersome and the credit union has gained efficiencies throughout the institution. It now has access to instant messaging, video conferencing, remote documents, and other features that streamline employee communication and productivity.
According to Ted Bilke, president of Symitar, "Our strong relationship with Microsoft allows us to extend the same functionality enjoyed for years by larger entities to any size credit union. Providing Office 365 directly to clients enables us to package the premier business and communications technology they need with the exceptional service and support they have come to expect from Symitar. Microsoft Office 365 delivered and supported by Symitar represents a unique offering that generates immediate operational and efficiency improvements."
Jack Henry & Associates announced the availability of Office 365 through a Microsoft syndication partnership in June 2011. The platform combines Microsoft Office Professional Plus, Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint® Online, Microsoft Office Web Apps, and the Lync™ Online instant messaging and collaboration tool.