UCB, Microsoft sign deal for security solutions

United Commercial Bank (UCB) Limited, one of the largest private sector commercial banks in Bangladesh, signed a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement with Thakral One, a recognised Microsoft Licensing Solution Partner, to deliver exceptional value, cost-savings and best-in-class security.

The agreement was signed recently at the head office of UCB in Dhaka between signatories UCB Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Abdullah Al Mamoon, and Microsoft SEA New Markets General Manager Sook Hoon Cheah, said a press release issued on Tuesday.

Also in attendance were Kashef Rahman, Senior Vice President and Head of Information Technology at United Commercial Bank; Basab Bagchi, Chief Executive Officer at Thakral One; Mark Walton, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft SEA New Markets; and Yousup Faruqu, Country Managing Director, Microsoft Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal in addition to senior personnel from the bank, Thakral One and Microsoft.

As the Licensing Solution Partner, Thakral One will ensure the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is an empowering vehicle for the bank to gain savings, benefits and value, and the flexibility to purchase software services and licenses under one agreement.

Commenting on the agreement, Abdullah Al Mamoon said, “With the rapid pace of technological changes, we need cutting edge technologies to boost the bank’s performance, efficiency and protection from an evolving cyber threat landscape.

“This partnership will enable the bank to have seamless access to the latest Microsoft software services and licenses, obtain greater value through a manageable and customised commercial licensing programme based on the organisation’s needs, agility to be competitive and future-ready security deployment.”

According to the release, the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement offers the best value to organisations with different numbers of users or devices that require a manageable volume licensing programme. Under the agreement, the Bank will have access to a customised solution which combines Microsoft 365, Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans (E3, F3), apps for enterprise including the up-to-date suite of desktop apps, and the Microsoft Defender for Office plan 1 safeguarding the organisation from malicious email messages, links etc.

“By embracing Microsoft’s latest technologies, UCB will be able to do more with less and gain a competitive edge, enabling their employees to better serve their customers,” said Sook Hoon Cheah.