1LINK has implemented Cisco® Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI™), an industry leading Software-Defined Networking (SDN) solution to facilitate application agility and data center automation. The objective of the implementation is to simplify, optimize and accelerate the entire application deployment life cycle in 1LINK infrastructure environment ensuring better controls and enhanced policy/governance posture. With this implementation, 1LINK becomes the first entity to deploy ACI in Pakistan’s FSI sector implemented by IBL-Unisys.

The Cisco ACI shall enable 1LINK to create a holistic systems-based approach, with optimized integration of hardware, software, physical and virtual elements creating an open ecosystem coupled with innovative Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) to enable high performance data center capability.

Mr. Najeeb Agrawalla, CEO – 1LINK, commented, ‘1LINK is committed to provide real-time high available payment services to the industry and implementation of SDN solution ‘Cisco ACI’ will add value to our network backbone with agility to deploy services for applications, load balancing, network configurations and policy enforcement. This integrated solution will provide scalability and management of applications and systems through just-in-time (JIT) resource allocation which in turn will optimize our IT operations to a greater extent. We would like to thank Cisco and our implementation partner IBL-Unisys for this industry first successful project delivery.’

Mr. Kashif, Country GM – Cisco, stated, ‘Cisco Systems believes in investing into technology of the future since its inception. One of the areas we focus on is R&D and innovating in the Software Defined Networking space, which helps enterprises build a secure and scalable core infrastructure with better management and policy enforcement. We are thankful to 1LINK and proud of our partnership with IBL Unisys in deploying this critical and key project for them. We look forward to working with 1LINK and IBL Unisys for driving future complex and unique projects in future.’

Mr. Muhammad Ali Qureshi, CEO – IBL-Unisys, stated, ‘This partnership will be a long and fruitful endeavor, due to the critical role operational excellence plays in future growth. By Implementing CISCO’s ACI, 1LINK can have their managed services turned up quickly, securely and modified easily using software-defined networking technology. We appreciate the cooperative spirit of visionary IT Leadership of 1LINK that enabled us to streamline the entire process in order to achieve this success. We are looking forward to assisting 1LINK in further improving their operational excellence through our top of the line business solutions.’

About CISCO:

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) enables people to make powerful connections whether in business, education, philanthropy, or creativity. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible providing easy access to information anywhere, at any time. In addition to its products, Cisco provides a broad range of service offerings, including technical support and advanced services. For more information, please visit: http://www.cisco.com/

About 1LINK:

1LINK (Pvt) Limited, owned by a consortium of 11 banks, is the country’s 1st PSO/PSP and largest switch and payment system, providing a host of valuable online banking services like ATM switching, Bills Payment, Inter Bank Funds Transfer, Fraud Risk Management, Switch Dispute Resolution, Global Payment Schemes, PayPak – Domestic Payment Scheme, etc. 1LINK is continuously evolving and adding new products and services to benefit the financial industry. For more information, please visit: https://1link.net.pk/

About IBL-Unisys:

IBL-Unisys is one of the leading systems integrators offering the strategic business value to organizations across multiple sectors through digital transformation solutions in partnership with global companies. IBL-Unisys is recognized as a trusted advisor for the past three decades and track record of successful projects in the industry makes it the premier choice for organizations seeking success, agility, and value in an assured business continuity environment.  For more information, please visit: www.ibl-unisys.com