The vendor says its WorkSpace 3.0 application aggregation and publishing platform will enable SMBC to create a single point of access to apps, services and content for its corporate IT users.

Centrix says this will transform the way applications and information services are delivered and used by the bank's 2500 staff across its Europe and North America operations.

The user environment, which is delivered through a standard browser, will be configured and personalised in line with information needs and SMBC's corporate governance and security requirements.

The system will make access to IT resources more consumable and user-centric, complementing SMBC's centralised infrastructure to enable the bank to harvest information and applications from multiple sources within its data centres, says Centrix.

WorkSpace will help SMBC extract value from its existing virtualised computing infrastructure and create a digital workplace for its business users that has the visual richness typical of Web and consumer computing environments.

It also gives SMBC the ability to remain technology agnostic, allowing the bank to select the best application provisioning environments for its requirements, while maintaining a consistent user experience, says Centrix.

"We have invested in a best-of-breed virtualised IT infrastructure and have created a highly efficient centralised IT environment. We looked for a solution that would allow us to have a rich desktop experience whilst retaining the value of our thin computing strategy," says Adam Mengham, global head, distributed systems, SMBC. "WorkSpace allows us to continue realising value from our infrastructure investment, while tackling two of the biggest challenges in corporate IT, enhancing the consumption of applications and managing multiple desktop environments."