Unisys and PSIS celebrate four decades

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Unisys and PSIS celebrate four decades working together

Unisys New Zealand and PSIS commemorate one of the longest IT relationships in the country. It commenced in 1967 when Unisys, then known as Burroughs, installed the first automated computer system for PSIS in time for New Zealand’s conversion to decimal currency.

The original system featured a B.273 computer that had a memory capacity of 9,600 characters - meaning it could hold a total of 9,600 letters or numbers, four magnetic tape units, a paper tape reader and paper printer that could print a whopping 700 lines a minute.

“Incredibly, a simple mobile phone today boasts much higher processing power than the first system which so revolutionised PSIS’ banking processes. From this beginning Unisys has provided 40 years of solutions for secure business operations to PSIS including consulting, security management and systems integration,” says Brett Hodgson, managing director, Unisys New Zealand.

“Today, business relationships that span a decade are few and far between. Our relationship with PSIS spans near half a century, it is a relationship we have valued, cultivated and worked together on to support PSIS as it transformed to meet the changing needs of customers in New Zealand’s financial services market."

To set the anniversary in context, in 1967, Walt Disney's premiered the "Jungle Book" in cinemas and The Beatles "Penny Lane" was aired on the radio.

Unisys and PSIS also began their relationship in the same year that:  Lord Arthur Porritt became the first New Zealand-born Governor-General  Maori were allowed to stand for European seats, and vice versa  The first recognisably automated teller machine (ATM) was placed outside Barclays PLC branch in Enfield  The Concorde, a joint British-French venture and the world’s first supersonic airliner, was unveiled in Toulouse, France  New Zealand abandoned pounds, shilling and pence and adopted decimal currency.

Annette Natta, CIO of PSIS, has been part of the PSIS team since 1973. She says PSIS was then, and continues to be, an early adopter of technology.

“I’ve seen a lot change over my tenure, but in our 80 year history we have always been progressive and at the forefront of technological developments to offer new and improved services. Our 40-year relationship with Unisys has allowed us to maintain that technological edge.

“With the help of Unisys, PSIS was one of the first to provide telephone banking, customer relationship management systems and internet security management in New Zealand,” says Natta.

An independent banking survey found 98 to100 percent of PSIS customers rated overall performance as good or very good.

“PSIS may be small in relation to the big banks, but it is because of our size that we can act quickly to take on new ideas that improve banking services for our customers. The long association with Unisys has assisted us in these endeavours,” says Dr Girol Karacaoglu, Chief Executive, PSIS.

To commemorate this historical relationship, Unisys hosted a celebratory event for PSIS in Wellington.

ENDS

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