When Istarska Kreditna Banka d.d. set out to upgrade its software infrastructure, the Croatian financial institution faced a challenge familiar to many in the banking sector: balancing regulatory compliance with fiscal responsibility. The solution came through an innovative partnership with Forscope, resulting in a 57% reduction in software costs while maintaining the stringent standards required in financial services. This collaboration demonstrates how modern banking institutions can navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation without compromising on compliance or cost efficiency.
The Forscope Effect
Microsoft Office Licenses
Cost reduction versus market alternatives
Complete system rollout
Banking-grade audit compliance
The Challenge
In an environment where regulatory compliance and cost efficiency often stand at odds, Istarska Kreditna Banka d.d. faced a critical crossroads in its digital infrastructure strategy. The Croatian financial institution needed to modernize its software ecosystem while navigating two seemingly conflicting imperatives: maintaining stringent banking sector compliance standards and managing costs effectively.
The bank’s IT department, led by Manager Danko Brajković, confronted several key challenges:
- Ensuring full regulatory compliance for all software implementations
- Managing the substantial costs typically associated with enterprise-level software licensing
- Maintaining operational efficiency during the transition
- Meeting strict internal audit requirements without compromise
The situation exemplified a common predicament in the banking sector, where traditional software procurement channels often force institutions to choose between optimal functionality and budget constraints. This challenge was particularly acute given Croatia’s stringent financial sector regulations and the bank’s commitment to maintaining its high operational standards.
What did
Forscope do
Forscope’s strategic intervention addressed Istarska Kreditna Banka’s software modernization needs through a comprehensive three-phase approach:
Strategic Assessment & Planning Working closely with the bank’s IT department, Forscope conducted a thorough evaluation of the institution’s licensing requirements, identifying opportunities for cost optimization while ensuring full compliance with banking sector regulations.
License Procurement & Verification
- Sourced 242 Microsoft Office Professional 2021 licenses
- Implemented rigorous verification protocols to ensure each license met banking regulatory standards
- Provided comprehensive documentation for audit compliance
Rapid Deployment & Support Forscope executed a streamlined implementation strategy that:
- Delivered all licenses with no timeline disruptions
- Completed full deployment across all bank branches within 30 days
- Maintained zero operational disruption throughout the transition
- Provided dedicated account management support throughout the process
The partnership demonstrated Forscope’s ability to combine enterprise-grade software solutions with banking-sector compliance requirements, while delivering significant cost advantages. This approach particularly resonated with Istarska Kreditna Banka’s dual mandate of maintaining stringent operational standards while optimizing IT investments.

The Results
- 57% reduction in software licensing costs
- Significant savings against traditional procurement channels
- 242 workstations successfully upgraded
- Zero operational disruption during transition
- 100% compliance with banking sector regulations
- Full audit trail documentation provided