What 38 Years of Banking IT Operations Taught a Veteran Engineer

Interview with Zhang Qinglong, China Bank Data Center Operations Supervisor

Technology has advanced rapidly, and generations of young people ride the wave of innovation. Among the pioneers of IT operations is Zhang Qinglong, who has spent 38 years at the China Bank, witnessing and shaping its technological evolution.

Career Journey

Zhang joined China Bank in 1981, initially working at a regional branch. In July 1984, following the national decision to open fourteen coastal cities, the bank launched the B20 accounting system, and Zhang became part of the development team, marking the start of his operations career. Over the decades he moved between branches and the headquarters, eventually leading teams in customer service, security checks, and production operations.

The bank’s IT centralization proceeded in three stages: first consolidating 1,040 computer centers into 33 provincial centers; then merging those into five regional information centers (North‑East, North‑West, South‑East, South‑West, and Central), with the North‑East center later becoming the China Bank Data Center; finally achieving a global logical centralization.

Insights on Operations

Zhang likens IT operations to oxygen: it is essential for the continuous functioning of banking services. He emphasizes two core values—responsibility and dedication—and stresses that operations must support business goals, acting as both a defensive line and a service window.

Challenges and Lessons

Early attempts to introduce IT Service Management (ITSM) faced difficulties due to lack of experience and industry acceptance. Over time, ITIL became the standard, later evolving into ISO 20000. A notable crisis involved power‑system grounding issues at over 60 branches, which required swift remediation to stabilize operations.

Key lessons include the necessity of solid infrastructure, end‑to‑end integrated management, and a zero‑tolerance attitude toward complacency.

Essential Skills for Operations Professionals

Beyond technical expertise, Zhang highlights strong communication, analytical and summarization abilities, proficient writing, continuous learning and innovation, and dialectical thinking. Operators must anticipate problems, avoid luck‑based shortcuts, and uphold professional standards.

Advice for Young Operators

Zhang advises that passion transforms hardship into purpose. He stresses that each effort adds to one’s “points” in a lifelong career, and that operations are never monotonous; each day brings new ideas, methods, and experiences that build competence.

Future Trends in Operations

The operations field will continue to grow, driven by its indispensable role in business continuity. Future success depends on proactive service impact management, integrating business planning, emerging technologies, system deployment, talent cultivation, and rapid response capabilities. Virtualization, cloud platforms, and supply‑side structural reforms are key enablers.