Bank of America has chosen Compaq Computer to provide single-source service and support as well as hardware to the bank's corporate offices and banking centres in the US.
The deal follows the bank's analysis and review of sources to support its distributed computing and hardware. The review addressed hardware and software services and support for banking centre equipment, small servers, desktop and laptop computers, as well as the acquisition of desktop computers.
Tim Arnoult, technology and operations executive, Bank of America, says: "By consolidating the sourcing of these services and products across the country through Compaq, we'll secure efficiencies that mean lower costs and improved service at the same time."
The contract calls for Compaq to support the bank's existing client-level computer resources throughout the US. For ongoing new and replacement hardware, Compaq will provide its Compaq ProLiant industry-standard servers, Deskpro EN desktop computers and professional workstations.
The ProLiant servers will provide the backbone for file and print services, email, remote access, database needs, banking centre and other applications. The desktop units will be used at the front-line of administration and customer service at Bank of America offices and some banking centres. The workstations will support the company's trading operations.
Compaq Global Services will handle support and service, including a financing component from Compaq Financial Services, while Compaq Direct will configure, image, and fulfil the various product orders.