On 4 May 2009, we announcedthat the new software, needed in preparation of SWIFT’s new distributed architecture (DA), was made available on the Download Centre. To-date, about 650 customers, including 65 Premium Plus customers, have successfully upgraded one or more SWIFTNet Links and or Alliance WebStations, resulting in over 1,200 upgraded SWIFTNet Links and Alliance WebStations.
One of the first customers to upgrade was Strate Ltd, South Africa’s authorised Central Securities Depository (CSD) for the electronic settlement of equities, bonds, and money market securities. Mr. Manoj Puri, Head of IT, Strate commented: “At Strate we see SWIFT as the backbone of the business we are in. We also recognise that Distributed Architecture is a significant project for SWIFT. We have upgraded our first test SWIFTNet Link with the DA patch 6.0.40. The installation of the patch was a relatively smooth and hassle-free experience. Once our internal testing is completed, we are planning to upgrade all our SWIFTNet Links. Distributed Architecture is important for us because of the increased processing capacity and enhanced resilience that it offers.”
Some of the customers, who are ready for DA, will participate with SWIFT in the operational readiness test phase as 'Early Adopters', gaining early hands-on experience with DA. Early adopters working together with SWIFT will help ensure a seamless transition to DA as we approach the final steps in phase one of the programme.
We take the opportunity of reminding that you can upgrade independently of your correspondents and of SWIFT. You can upgrade at any convenient time during the upgrade window taking into consideration your other operational priorities and you should plan to complete your upgrade before 30 November 2009.
