The IT Backbone: How We Built a Scalable XaaS-Driven Infrastructure

The primary goal of our project was to modernize Ipoteka Bank's IT infrastructure to ensure resilience, scalability, and continuous availability. We aimed to establish geographically separated datacenters using VMware stretch clusters, enhancing disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities.

Another core objective was to implement a flexible, XaaS-driven infrastructure with HP Synergy, enabling dynamic resource scaling to meet operational demands cost-effectively. We also sought to enhance employee collaboration by integrating Microsoft Teams Rooms, fostering seamless communication across locations.

Ultimately, this project positions Ipoteka Bank for sustainable growth, aligning our infrastructure with both current operational needs and future technological advancements, while prioritizing security and compliance.

The project achieved significant improvements in resilience, scalability, and operational efficiency for Ipoteka Bank. By establishing geographically separated datacenters with VMware stretch clusters, we ensured robust disaster recovery and minimized downtime, supporting continuous business operations.

The HP Synergy-based infrastructure with XaaS capabilities provided flexibility for on-demand resource allocation, reducing costs and enabling quick adaptation to evolving needs. Employee productivity and collaboration were enhanced through Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms, standardizing communication across locations.

Furthermore, data security and compliance were strengthened through PCI-DSS protocols, secure VPN access for developers, and comprehensive data backup with HP StoreOnce and StorEver. Altogether, these results have positioned Ipoteka Bank with a resilient, future-ready IT foundation capable of supporting sustainable growth and high-quality customer service.

Software

• VMware Stretch Cluster: For high availability and synchronized operations across geographically separated datacenters.
• Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms: Standardized for OTP Group, facilitating collaboration and efficient scheduling for remote and in-office meetings.
• Microsoft Active Directory and MS Exchange: To establish a secure, cohesive internal infrastructure and enable seamless employee communication.

Equipment

• HP Synergy: Blade-based computing resources providing flexibility in virtual machine configurations and on-demand scalability.
• HP Alletra Storage: High-performance storage solution ensuring fast, reliable data access across systems.
• HP StoreOnce and StorEver Solutions: For secure data backup, retention, and long-term archival to support data management and compliance requirements.

Auxiliary Systems

• Secure VPN Access for Developers: To enable remote access for external collaborators, maintaining security in development environments.
• PCI-DSS Compliant Security Protocols: Enforcing robust security measures across all systems to protect sensitive financial data and ensure regulatory compliance.

The project presented a high level of complexity, requiring careful coordination across multiple technology layers and departments. The transition from a legacy infrastructure to a modern, scalable environment was challenging, especially when integrating diverse systems such as VMware stretch clusters, HP Synergy, and XaaS resources. Each component had specific requirements and compatibility considerations, necessitating precise planning to avoid disruptions.

Coordinating with the Omnichannel Directorate added complexity, as we needed to align on system dependencies and troubleshooting, given their role in overseeing critical customer-facing systems. Establishing secure access for external developers from Cinemax while adhering to strict PCI-DSS compliance also required intricate design and testing to maintain data security and operational integrity.

Managing third-party service dependencies added further difficulty, as any delays or issues from these providers had the potential to impact project timelines. Despite these challenges, our team collaborated closely across departments and with external partners to ensure a smooth, successful implementation, resulting in a resilient and adaptable IT infrastructure.

Our project at Ipoteka Bank transformed an outdated IT infrastructure into a scalable, resilient, and secure foundation, positioning the bank for sustainable growth and enhanced operational efficiency. Faced with aging equipment and limited capabilities, our primary goal was to implement an architecture that ensures business continuity, supports future scalability, and enhances collaboration across the organization.

To achieve this, we established geographically separated datacenters using VMware stretch clusters, allowing seamless failover and disaster recovery. This setup minimizes downtime and provides a robust backbone for continuous operations, crucial for the bank's daily activities and customer services.

We integrated HP Synergy for modular, on-demand computing resources, enabling us to create flexible VM configurations as needs arise. Complemented by HP Alletra for high-performance storage and HP StoreOnce and StorEver for comprehensive data backup and long-term archival, this infrastructure supports both current demands and rapid expansion.

In addition, adopting XaaS (Anything-as-a-Service) capabilities allowed us to optimize resource allocation and manage costs effectively, giving the bank the agility to adjust its IT environment in response to changing requirements.

On the employee front, the integration of Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms standardized collaboration tools within OTP Group. This upgrade improved real-time communication and document-sharing capabilities, enabling seamless teamwork across departments and locations.

Security and compliance are also top priorities. We developed secure access solutions for external developers and implemented PCI-DSS-compliant protocols, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance throughout the system.

Together, these innovations provide Ipoteka Bank with a future-proof IT foundation that supports reliable, efficient service delivery and empowers us to adapt quickly to new technological advancements and business needs. This project represents a key step in positioning Ipoteka Bank as a forward-looking leader in the financial sector.

The project’s geographical scope spans Ipoteka Bank’s entire operational network, with a particular focus on establishing dual datacenters in geographically separated locations. This setup ensures that critical banking operations continue seamlessly in the event of a local failure, providing resilience and continuous service availability.

This infrastructure also supports remote collaboration across multiple bank branches and offices, facilitated by Microsoft Teams and Teams Rooms, which enable real-time communication and document sharing among employees, regardless of location. By establishing a flexible, scalable IT environment, the project has effectively unified the bank’s operations across regions, making it possible to maintain service quality and collaboration consistently throughout Ipoteka Bank’s footprint.