UOB deepens partnership with VMware for its team of IT developers

By Edil Corneille

United Overseas Bank (UOB) has collaborated with VMware where it deployed a secure virtual desktop – UOB DevTop – for its team of 3,000 information technology (IT) developers, having done so in 21 days.

UOB developed UOB DevTop by integrating VMware’s virtual desktop solution VMware Horizon with the bank’s IT and hybrid cloud infrastructures. The Bank did not need to install hardware servers on its premises even as it expanded its computing capacity to meet the surge in load with 3,000 IT developers working remotely.

Designed to meet the bank’s security standards and to minimise risks, UOB DevTop provides IT developers with a secure sandbox to test and to implement upgrades to the bank’s digital services and solutions. This enabled its IT developers to meet the bank’s software development schedules without disruption or delay as they move to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susan Hwee, Head of Group Technology and Operations, UOB said, “As the majority of our colleagues across the UOB Group shifted to home-based working during the pandemic, we prioritised equipping them with the right tools and resources to enable a quick and seamless transition as we continued to serve our customers without disruption. Tapping our technology and cloud infrastructure, coupled with VMware’s solutions, we developed and deployed a more secure virtual desktop solution at an unprecedented pace and scale…”

In August, UOB launched its ASEAN digital bank, TMRW, in Indonesia. The following September, the bank launched its all-in-one mobile banking app UOB Mighty in Malaysia, featuring a new user interface. It has features which tap artificial intelligence to help customers spend and save more wisely. In the same month, UOB also launched UOB Infinity, a new mobile app that provides businesses with intuitive features such as a customisable desktop, cash management capabilities and trade services to meet banking needs.

Sanjay K. Deshmukh, Managing Director and Vice President, Southeast Asia and Korea, VMware, said, “Digital technologies have shone through during this period of uncertainty as an effective enabler for organisations to conduct business, engage employees and connect with customers. We are excited to continue our partnership with UOB, supporting their operational needs while enabling them to comply with the bank’s stringent security and data privacy requirements.

With VMware’s industry-leading digital workspace and hybrid cloud solutions, we are confident UOB will continue to forge ahead as a leading bank in the region, serving a diverse customer base spread across different industries effectively and more securely,” Deshmukh added.