IBM Global Industries BMO Nesbitt Burns: Delivering comprehensive online investment services.
e-business case study: BMO Nesbitt Burns BMO Nesbitt Burns is a leading fullservice investment bank in North America. Since 1912, the firm has been committed to helping clients meet their investment objectives and goals with the highest standards. As part of the Bank of Montreal s Private Client Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns provides clients with access to one of the broadest selections of investment solutions and products available today. This case study addresses BMO Nesbitt Burns implementation of an e-business solution based on IBM WebSphere Application Server technology and IBM Global Services consulting. Leveraging the knowledge and expertise of IBM professionals, BMO Nesbitt Burns has implemented a robust, scalable foundation on which to build future applications as its business grows and to rapidly deliver new services to its customers over the Internet. e-business solution profile BMO Nesbitt Burns launched a new technology platform for its e-business Web site, which gives clients access to account information, as well as comprehensive online research and trading capabilities. The newly enhanced Gateway site uses IBM WebSphere Application Server, a powerful application development platform that has enabled BMO Nesbitt Burns to expand its online offerings and expedite the delivery of new products and services over the Internet. The solution leveraged IBM Global Services comprehensive knowledge base and WebSphere s high-performance e-business capabilities. Using advanced technologies such as Java TM Servlets, JavaServer Pages TM and extensible markup language (XML), the implementation of WebSphere as an e-business platform helped BMO Nesbitt Burns quickly transform itself into a dynamic, full-service online investment firm. IBM Global Services team of e-business experts, coupled with WebSphere s advanced technology, enabled the deployment of new business offerings, increased functionality for online client services and helped BMO Nesbitt Burns achieve its strategic goals, which included: Company Web Site Solution Benefits US$222 billion in assets Offices in North America, Europe and Asia 4,300 employees worldwide www.bmonesbittburns.com IBM WebSphere Application Server IBM Global Services Provides a robust and scalable platform Enables speed to market of new services Reduces long-term development costs Shortens the application development cycle Enables high-quality customer service Improving online capacity to meet the needs of clients Expanding services using an integrated, scalable, state-of-the-art technology platform Increasing client access to account information, equity research and mutual fund research Enhancing application development through the implementation of reusable technology.
Transforming into an e-business Several years ago, BMO Nesbitt Burns recognized the power of the Internet and understood that implementing an e-business solution would complement its portfolio of services. The company began making its transition into the networked age by implementing its first Web site in early 1999. The original Web site enabled customers to access account information and create and monitor their own virtual portfolios. Yet BMO Nesbitt Burns quickly realized that this wasn t enough. It needed a comprehensive solution to thrive in today s demanding business environment a solution that would enable its developers to quickly build and deploy new applications and services, such as online trading and investment research, to help the company better serve clients. To compete in the new millennium, it was apparent that BMO Nesbitt Burns would need to expand its online services to achieve and maintain leadership in the e-business market space. In addition, the company sought to be the first comprehensive full-service online brokerage in Canada, which would require the implementation of a new technology solution that could be launched quickly and grow with its business. The right choice for missioncritical performance Deciding which solution would best support its business strategy was driven by the need for scalability, reliability, speed to market and a pool of skilled information technology professionals capable of implementing and managing BMO Nesbitt Burns strategic e-business project. Furthermore, with an aggressive timeline in place to launch the new Gateway site, the company needed a best-of-breed partner who could meet critical deadlines. With this in mind, BMO Nesbitt Burns approached several e-business solution providers, including IBM. When the IBM Global Services team of consultants presented a comprehensive solution that included the WebSphere Application Server, the company realized that this was a solution that could help it not only meet but surpass its e-business goals. Moreover, IBM demonstrated a solid understanding of BMO Nesbitt Burns objectives and a shared vision of the future. The expertise, commitment and credibility of the IBM Global Services team, as well as WebSphere s powerful product capability, persuaded the company to choose IBM as its e-business partner. IBM had the expertise to ensure success. Mark Saunders, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Implementing a reliable platform to support growth and speed to market Once the project was approved, the IBM technical architect team began working with BMO Nesbitt Burns to outline a development and implementation strategy capable of meeting its proposed budget and timeline. Throughout the development process, IBM worked closely with the company, providing valuable insight and expert support to ensure the success of the project. And with IBM Global Services comprehensive business integration approach, challenges were identified and resolved quickly, enabling a smooth transition to WebSphere. IBM Global Services knowledgeable consultants provided the technical skills and thought leadership that BMO Nesbitt Burns needed to deploy a complete e-business solution: Java programming support that included up to 20 IBM developers Performance support in the development and preproduction environment Effective project and release management Integration expertise. We chose WebSphere as our platform because it provided the highest level of service and reliability. Connie Stefankiewicz, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, BMO Nesbitt Burns Featured IBM technology IBM WebSphere Application Server WebSphere Application Server offers the most reliable and robust e-business foundation using open, cross-platform Java, XML and extensible stylesheet language (XSL) technologies. With powerful application development capacity, including reusable components to speed development time, businesses can rapidly design high-transaction, high-volume e-business applications to deliver online products and services faster than competitors. In addition, the new site analysis features can help companies develop targeted Web marketing and customer-centric solutions better than ever before. For more information about IBM WebSphere Application Server, visit: ibm.com/software/websphere IBM Global Services IBM Global Services provides organizations with people who understand technology and know how to leverage e-business solutions to achieve strategic business objectives. Companies can count on IBM Global Services to create and deliver solutions that will achieve real business results. By helping to determine where and how the Web can produce the most positive business benefits, organizations that partner with IBM can become more responsive, efficient and productive in today s new global economy. With a wide array of offerings that include comprehensive business innovation and integrated technology consulting, IBM Global Services is helping organizations all over the world capitalize on the power of e-business. For more information about IBM Global Services, visit: ibm.com/services
Linda Igra, IBM Project Executive Heather Campbell, Vice President, e-development, BMO Nesbitt Burns Next-generation investment solutions With WebSphere, BMO Nesbitt Burns is now offering a wide array of services to benefit both new and existing customers. Through its new program, Full-Service Online (FSO), the company has expanded its Internet services with online trading and near-realtime holdings, as well as access to realtime stock quotes. The Gateway offers clients a multitude of resources that are available from anywhere in the world, including BMO Nesbitt Burns top-ranked 1 and thirdparty research, and online trading in equities, mutual funds and options. And all of this is coupled with the expertise of a BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisor. Clients can now access their portfolios and other online services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The combination of IBM Global Services consulting and the high-performance functionality of WebSphere has enabled BMO Nesbitt Burns to provide the same level of reliability for its online applications as it offers with more traditional services. In addition, client response to the new Web site has been exceptional. Using industry-leading tools and resources to implement a complete, scalable and reliable solution, IBM helped BMO Nesbitt Burns establish itself as Canada s premier online investment firm. Delivering a platform for e-business success With success clearly achieved, BMO Nesbitt Burns plans to expand its online services to meet the continuing needs of customers in today s dynamic business world. The knowledge of IBM Global Services consultants and the strength of the WebSphere Application Server platform facilitated the rapid delivery of BMO Nesbitt Burns new investment products and services to meet client needs and maintain industry leadership. IBM s hands-on consulting approach, customer commitment and depth of experience provided the company with a solid foundation for Internet commerce and a platform to support the growing demands of e-business. For organizations that need comprehensive e-business solutions, rely on a partner you can trust. The experts at IBM are working with companies around the world to deliver end-to-end solutions for e-business success. For more information To learn more about the IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM Global Services, contact your IBM sales representative or visit: ibm.com/services 1 Brendan Wood International Institutional Equity Research, Sales and Trading Performance in Canada, 2000.
Copyright IBM Corporation 2000 IBM Corporation 1133 Westchester Avenue White Plains, NY 10604 U.S.A. Produced in the United States of America 11-00 All Rights Reserved IBM, the IBM logo, WebSphere and the e-business logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates. G580-3220-00