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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/collaboration/0,3800003020,39120024,00.htm

Bankers work with Hummingbird
...to work with each other

By Tony Hallett

Published: Thursday 15 April 2004

The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has turned to technology from Hummingbird in an effort to make collaboration easier.

The trade body's staff often need to work simultaneously on complex technical and legal documents and comparing notes within project teams was proving increasingly difficult using email.

"We mostly do lobbying work and the ability to work on a document - even if you're in Brussels - and at the click of a button absorb all recent changes and who made the changes is of great value," said Nigel Shattock, BBA executive director of external communications.

The body already bought document management software from the Canadian vendor, with whom it has a direct relationship. Key to the latest rollout was the ability to work in a Microsoft Word environment and link into other IT systems.

Vendors such as Hummingbird are also selling on the ability to track changes for future audits - important in an age of strict compliance, especially in sectors such as banking.

Shattock said the software needed little customisation but that there is still the challenge of getting used to the new approach, "which is not an easy process internally".

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.