Caixa Geral de Depósitos adopts the BIAN framework and implements the SAP LeanIX Enterprise Architecture solution with Link Consulting

December, 2024

Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) embarked on a refresh of its enterprise architecture strategy with a goal of rationalizing applications and to reduce operational cost and improve time-to-market. The industry specificity and comprehensive definitions offered by the BIAN framework (Banking Industry Architecture Network) meant it was the obvious choice for delivering tangible value to the bank’s initiative and SAP LeanIX Enterprise Architecture platform was the chosen solution to consolidate this process. 

As the largest Portuguese bank, CGD plays a central role in Portugal’s financial system, offering a wide range of banking services. CGD had an extensive estate spanning over 700 applications in its legacy systems. Leveraging Link Consulting specialist skills as BIAN subject matter experts, as well as SAP LeanIX implementation expertise, the team continues to conduct a thorough mapping exercise of application names, descriptions, and functionalities.

This is leading to a clear roadmap for change which reduces both costs and operational risks by identifying duplicated functionality and migrating workflows to a more streamlined and integrated architecture. This has been made possible through the use of the BIAN Service Domain model, which provides the canvas against which all applications can be mapped and classified in a transparent and collaborative way.

Following a successful, on time and on budget first tranche of mapping, CGD is now planning a broader second phase, using a BIAN-driven methodology and SAP LeanIX capabilities, to cover API specifications as well as applications.

According to Paulo Pereira,  Architecture Director at Caixa Geral de Depósitos, “Tackling a project of this scope, in tranches that make sense for the business’s goals, might not have been possible without the underlying understanding provided by the BIAN Service Domain model and SAP LeanIX platform.”

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