What is ETS? Culture without shock Annette Brown and Maria Jose Arza Starting in 1998, Rabobank in North America looked at how it could improve loan processing efficiency. The document that had previously been used was free- form, and used differently by each office. There was no Standard form that the Back-Office could easily read and interpret. The solution seemed obvious: create a Standard, electronic form that could be accessed and used by everyone. The Electronic Term Sheet (ETS) is a web- based management and electronic workflow tooi that securely communicates, from Front- to Back Office, the essential information required to create, approve, and manage customer information, credit facilities, deal tickets and more. It has surprised many within Rabobank by revolutionising processes in the Americas. Annette Brown, Assistant Vice-President Project Manager in the New Jersey office, explains, The basic form is standardised, but includes built-in flexibility for individual offices. And, since ETS is electronic, all the information is available online, reducing faxes and telephone calls, eliminating test keys, improving security, streamlining approvals, creating a clear audit trail, building an archive library and allowing the development of cases.' The ETS is developed and maintained in-house, giving the ETS User Group Committee a voice in continuing adaptations, further additions, and new functionality. The New York ETS was created for North America. It worked well and, in 2002, the South American offices and Curacao created the Regional ETS. In October 2005, a single ETS was launched to serve all the Americas. The region's different cultures initially made implementation a challenge, and some offices had never cooperated with other offices on such a big project. To

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blad 'RI The Word / The Word' (EN) | 2006 | | pagina 25