Industry Financial services Company As one of the four large state-owned commercial banks, the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) is an important component of China's financial system. ABC currently owns 32 provincial level branches, five directly affiliated branches, and three training colleges. It has also set up branches in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as offices in London, Tokyo, and New York. Employees 500,000 Annual IT Budget NA

The bank has consolidated its core banking system, implemented automatic deposits and withdrawals nationwide, and expanded its banking services by deploying new e-business applications. One such application is an e-banking system which provides easy-to-use, 24/7 financial services to its customers via the Internet.

The e-banking system includes an enterprise portal, allowing the bank to publish its financial and marketing information on the Internet, as well as round-the-clock customer banking services such as account inquiries, transfers and payments.

So far, the e-banking system, which is based on the Linux platform, has enabled the bank to save time for the company and its customers by minimizing phone calls and questions. It has also improved the overall satisfaction of those who do business with the bank.

Internally, the bank is also ensuring that its employees have anytime access to virtual interactive collaborative meetings that incorporate audio and video conferencing, Web collaboration and instant messaging. The backbone of the bank's communications services is an IP (Internet Protocol) network that also has mission-critical data flowing through its veins.

To lower long distance phone expenses between its more than 50,000 branches and affiliate offices spread across all of China, as well as its international locations, the bank has consolidated its multiple regional call centers into one centralized call center using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). The effort has paid off, as the bank now saves about US$15,000 a month for both office-to-office and long distance phone calls.