Changes brought about by ETS
What's next?
address this challenge, ETS User Group Committees were
established, one each for North America, South America and
Curacao.The regional committee iscomposed of represen
taties from each office in that region, and coilects feedback
from each office in order to identify ways to improve the ETS.
Shayra Willems, Head of Credit at Rabobank Curacao NV, and a
member of the Curacao User Group committee, explains the
inter-office cooperation that took place during the implementation
process: 'Initially, bi-weekly conference calls were set up with the
main users in each of the South American offices togive feedback
on any issues that had arisen, and make suggestions for improve-
ments. During the implementation of the latest version of ETS,
we ran test scripts and again gave our feedback. I believe that
because we, as end users, were able to have an input in the
process, we've assisted in the development of a tooi that will be
beneficialtoall of us.'
Because of the ETS User Group Committees, communication
and mutual understanding between offices have improved
dramatically. 'In the open forum of the committee meetings,
committee members are able to leverage the knowledge of
their colleagues,' explains Brown.
The credit process, which can differ for each office, is streamlined
and easierwith ETS. Instead of taking hours, approval and send-
along are now accomplished in minutes, simply by sending a
notification e-mail.
'It's a great improvement. We used to prepare deal tickets and
term sheets in Microsoft® Excel but now the whole process is
automated. We're also satisfied that we can systematically track
the history of the terms and conditions of outstanding and
matured deals,' says Willems.
The ETS has helped make it easier to enter data for a new
customer,' says Judi Ross, Credit Portfolio Officer in Rabobank's
Media Telecom group. 'Now that the Customer Information
Form (CIF) is automated and linked up to ETS, we can easily
enter new customer data and can also transfer data from the
CIF to the Term Sheets. It's a great time-saver, and also reduces
errors,' she says.
The ETS system and database form the core of a quick reference
for ad hoe inquiries. This is an unanticipated added value,' says
Brown. 'ETS, with its user-friendly, easily recognisable interface,
has become everyone's first point of inquiry when information
is needed.'
ETS has matured since its initial release. Future ETS releases,
expected to occur roughly three times per year, will continue to
focus on the offices' needs. 'We work on needs as they arise,
discussing in an open forum whether ETS is the right place to
meet them and whether a solution is technically possible,'
explains Maria Jose Arza, who will assume Annette Brown's role
as ETS Administrator in 2006. Brown has been with ETS since its
implementation and has recently moved to a Middle Office role.
The ETS has proven to be a valuable tooi for the business. Those
involved in its development have come to see it as an excellent
and tangible example of the value of true cooperation.
The Word
