LIMA, Peru, September 30, 2011 – Perú Credit Bank announced that it has chosen the Cisco® Data Center architecture (Data Center and Virtualization) to optimize its internal and external processes in order to attain stability and a higher level of operations. The project, supported by Cisco Advanced Services, will begin with updating the network. Over the next three years, the servers will be replaced so the bank customers can execute their transactions in less time.

To provide greater reliability to both its customers and employees, the bank will update and link two data centers. The new system will enable the bank to deploy a contingency plan and  to increase the efficiency, the response capacity and the flexibility of the current infrastructure. For this purpose, a convergent next-generation network was installed, based on the Cisco Nexus® 7000, 5000, 2000 and 1000V Series Switches.

The Data Center architecture positions the  BCP in a competitive environment due to the solid infrastructure  for scalable, flexible and low-risk growth. The advanced functionalities include:  

• the convergence of the local area and storage area networks
• high bandwidth capacity  for network scalability
• overlay transport virtualization to create a communication path that allows capacity-level extension and mobility between data centers through an IP-MPLS network
• load-balanced server equipment (the Cisco ACE Application Control Engine  and Cisco Global Site Sector) as well as Nexus 1000 v equipment to reinforce security and flexibility in the virtualized applications environment

"The benefits that we expect are in operating stability and network optimization, making the network stronger and more robust. Also, to support the bank's growth, we are increasing the  bandwidth capacity by 2,000 per cent and in this way speeding daily operations and the delivery of services and products," said Carlos Herrera, infrastructure and IT operations manager,  Perú Credit Bank.

The bandwidth improvement, from 1 gigabit per second to 10 Gbps, will generate IT savings. "The convergence, virtualization and automation that allow the implementation of an ITaaS (IT as a service) model, are based on advantages in performance, quality of service, availability and infrastructure consolidation. This is a clear example that the network is the platform, enabling the optimization of services and processes within an organization," said Fernando Rodríguez, virtualization business development manager, for the north of Latin America, Cisco.

"We expect to save costs in the short and mid-term, and we estimate a 20 per cent savings in the habitual expenses. Also, there are energy cost savings through the consolidation of data centers and servers as they represent less space and, thus, lower energy consumption. This is a new technology in Peru, and we feel proud for being at the forefront with Cisco's support, "said Jose Ishikawa, telecommunications infrastructure management manager,  Perú Credit Bank.

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About BCP

Founded in 1889, BCP is the most important Peruvian Bank with more than 10,000 employees, 3 million customers and 330 branches around the world.  BCP, an institution with more than 120 years of history, has the widest distribution network and penetration in Peru, and has a market share of 31.6% in loans and 34.4% in deposits. For more information about BCP, please visit www.viabcp.com.