Callataÿ & Wouters, a provider of core banking and multi-channel distribution solutions, announced today the formalisation of its partnership with Logica, a provider of IT and business services. The two companies are partnering to deliver the complete Thaler solution, Callataÿ & Wouters’ flagship product. Logica will implement and support Thaler integration and outsourcing services for banks and other financial institutions. This collaboration also marks the official launch of Callataÿ & Wouters’ Business Partner Network initiative, a global partnership programme aimed at offering best-of-breed software solutions and services to new and existing customers.

As the first global partner, Logica will offer and implement the full range of Thaler solutions to financial institutions through all possible delivery methods, such as direct implementation or Software as a Service (SaaS), while Callataÿ & Wouters will maintain licence responsibility and provide implementation support and training as required. As part of the partnership, Logica will also invest in setting up a Competence Centre through which their staff will be trained to implement the Thaler products. This centre, established in Brussels and already serving the local Belgian and French markets, will initially aim to serve customers in Europe with plans to extend the service globally.

The launch of the Business Partner Network formalises Callataÿ & Wouters’ strategic approach to partnerships which has helped build its success internationally and contributed to Callataÿ & Wouters’ achievement of leader status in Gartner’s 2009 Retail Core Banking Magic Quadrant recently. The partnership approach offers banks best-in-class banking software combined with excellent industry expertise. Customers benefit from standard methodology and professional services skills built on more than 25 years of industry specific experience. Professional services from Callataÿ & Wouters and its system integrators includes training, implementation, custom development, and runtime assistance, and can support a variety of business models – including business process outsourcing (BPO) and SaaS. This offers financial institutions the possibility to achieve their business ambitions while controlling costs and minimising implementation risks.

The new Business Partner Network encompasses four levels of commitment each awarded with a certification. Companies can get involved as a Thaler Registered Staffing Partner, a Thaler Registered System Integrator, a Thaler Certified System Integrator or a Thaler Certified Solution Provider. In relation with the level of their involvement, partners’ involvement with customers increases from onsite or remote support to comprehensive user training, system development up to the installation of end-to-end solutions.

Martin Dieussaert, Managing Director, Financial Services, Logica in Belgium, commented, “Through this partnership with Callataÿ & Wouters, we are well-positioned to support banks in achieving their business objectives with a best-of-breed solution. With the increasing scrutiny of the banking sector it is becoming critical for them to relook and optimise some of their IT infrastructure and processes. Callataÿ & Wouters’ extensive expertise and reliable product offering complement our commitment and ability to deliver a service that enables customers to support new business challenges. This partnership will no doubt lead to increased opportunities for us in this relevant business line.”

Marc De Groote, CEO, Callataÿ & Wouters, added, “The collaboration with Logica gives Callataÿ & Wouters the opportunity to work closely with a global systems integrator with an impressive reputation and track record in implementation. Logica’s decision to sell and implement the Thaler range, in addition to the investment in training staff, reinforces the credibility of the solutions.”

In the current economic climate, banks are looking to invest in IT infrastructure agile enough to adapt to the fast changing market conditions and able to deliver immediate benefits today as well as future-proof their business. “Callataÿ & Wouters’ track record of first-class implementations proves that we are up for this challenge and can, together with our partners,deliver measurable ROI to customer.” he added

Thaler is a scalable core banking system that includes functionality for deposits, loans, securities, treasury and payments as well as multi-channel distribution modules. Callataÿ & Wouters’ product line is designed to run either as an end-to-end solution, covering the entire range of core banking activities, or on a modular basis to support individual lines of business.