For release: 12 May 2008
EDS Deploys 100,000 Cisco Unified IP Phones For Bank of America
PLANO, Texas and CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – EDS and Bank of America today announced the deployment milestone of 100,000 Cisco Unified Internet Protocol (IP) phones within the bank’s extensive North American network environment.
Bank of America’s 100,000th Voice over IP (VoIP) phone represents a major milestone in the four-year transformation effort that has so far spanned more than 4,000 Bank of America retail banking centers, branch and remote enterprise offices. The project, which features Cisco Unified Communications and network system software and hardware, is recognized by Cisco as the largest enterprise VoIP deployment worldwide and standardizes voice service options and consolidates voice services within the bank’s network infrastructure.
“By replacing multiple legacy voice systems with an enterprise-level voice platform and support model, EDS and Cisco are helping Bank of America improve operational efficiencies, reduce system management and maintenance costs, all while enhancing customer service,” said Christopher Stockley, Bank of America’s Network Services Executive.
The large-scale VoIP transformation project is just one component of Bank of America’s landmark systems integration and services partnership with EDS. Since 2003, Bank of America and EDS have worked together to consolidate, upgrade and transform the bank’s voice and data network infrastructure, building a feature-rich network architecture with extended capabilities.
“EDS’ transformation efforts and ongoing support of Bank of America’s converged IP network strategy means lower costs with greater flexibility and portability-essential elements that support our client’s long-term vision for the future,” said Mark DeBenedictus, EDS vice president, U.S. financial services. “As our clients’ business ally, EDS strives to support Bank of America’s growth, while helping the financial leader provide even better customer service.”
EDS’ IP communications services enable secure, integrated enterprise-wide convergence of voice, data and communications applications that reduce the complexity of enterprise communications. This comprehensive suite of services includes project management, site assessment, engineering, call plan development, migration planning, implementation to operation, asset and operating system management, hardware and software upgrades and ongoing support services.
Historically, Bank of America and EDS have played important roles in shaping the global financial services and information technology industries. Today, these companies are working together collaboratively, leveraging each company’s strength and capabilities to drive down network costs and fuel the next generation of retail banking service innovations.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 59 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 6,100 retail banking offices, nearly 19,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 24 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 99 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 83 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Bank of America N.A. Member FDIC.
About EDS
EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry 45 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. Learn more at eds.com.
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