OREANDA-NEWS. April 23, 2013. The International Bank of Azerbaijan has signed an agreement on long-term cooperation with corporation Microsoft as part of program Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

According to the IBA, in compliance with the agreement the Bank gets an opportunity of transition to the Microsoft platform for all of the computers used in the organization.

Enterprise Agreement is designed for organizations with 250 and more computers with use Microsoft platform as a corporate standard. The signing of the document opens broad prospects of cooperation between the IBA and Microsoft, promotes the introduction of innovative technologies and the optimization of bank processes. The project operator is Softline International.

"Joint work over this agreement has been conducted for the last few years. The priority attached by the Bank to introduction of innovative technologies, as well as a wide range of software provided by corporation Microsoft, played a crucial role in the successful completion of the project," IBA deputy chairman Gubad Huseynov said.

"The signing of the agreement meets the requirements of information security of the Bank, will enable the IBA to standardize IT infrastructure and opens prospects for further multi-level cooperation. We hope that the signing of the Enterprise Agreement with such a large player in the financial sector of the country will serve as an example for the rest of the banks," Microsoft Azerbaijan General Manager Rufat Hajialibeyov said.

Enterprise Agreement has a number of advantages. One of the most important is to reduce total cost of ownership that allows to pay by some annual installments rather than one lump-sum payment. Enterprise Agreement also allows use of the latest versions of Microsoft products (Software Assurance).

During the term of the Enterprise Agreement the company may use the licensed products on all computers included in the contract, and to add new computers during the term of the agreement.
Full control of the cost on purchase of the software ensures that the license cost per one PC remains constant throughout the term of the agreement, and automatic switching on of option Software Assurance allows insuring against a possible rise in prices in connection of release of new versions.