Bank tech-trends News
 

October 9 - 13, 2006

• Hardware News
• Software Updates
• ATMs/Kiosks
• Biometric Digest Highlights
• Wireless World
• Security Section
• Leaders Roundtable
• Technology and Marketing
• Online Banking/E-Commerce/
  Website Design
• Internet Access
• Call Centers

Hardware News

Tandberg Data has introduced a disk-based backup product with removable cartridges for small and medium-size businesses. They say that the drive is less expensive and much faster than other entry-level tape formats (e.g., DAT or DLT tape drives). Removable 40GB, 80GB or 120GB drives are inserted into a docking unit which comes in either a 3.5-in. or 5.25-in. form factor and comes as either an internal unit using Serial ATA 1, or an external unit using USB 2.0 connectors. The RDX QuikStor backs up 80GB in under an hour. Another RDX advantage is that the docking unit is compatible with future cartridge drive capacities and recording technologies. Tandberg's RDX QuikStor comes with Symantec Backup Exec QS. Prices for a docking unit and 40GB cartridge start around $300. A 40GB cartridge costs about $123. 

Gateway just introduced three servers that use the Intel Xeon 5100 processor: the E-9520T Performance Tower Server, the E-9425R and the E-9525T (the latter two are available in 1U or 2U rack-mountable or tower-based configurations). They offer redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans, and RAID on motherboard technology. Each server also features Gateway Lights Out system management technology and an optional keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) for remote management. The E-9425R starts at $1,850; the E-9425R starts at $1,900; and the E-9520T Performance Tower starts at $2,200. 

Back to Top

Back to Top

ATMs/Kiosks

According to Phoenix Marketing International’s ESP Payment Research Group, more than 78% of the nearly 30,000 ATMs acquired in 2005 by financial institution buyers replaced terminals already installed. The biggest drivers were the demand to meet triple-DES and ADA requirements, followed by the desire to expand ATM utilities and broaden market reach. Since 2000, more than 128,000 units have been added to the ATM installed base. 

MasterCard now provides cardholders with a mobile, location-based search and directory service so they can request the location of the nearest ATM be sent to their cell phone via SMS text message. Customers call 1-877-FIND-ATM, and state their coordinates to request the location of the nearest MasterCard ATM. They can listen to the nearest locations over the phone, or choose to have a text message sent to their cell phone detailing the location of the nearest ATM. The new service, which works will all major mobile carriers in the US, is provided by MasterCard to cardholders free of charge (carrier text message rates may apply). 

At the recent Self-Service & Kiosk Show in San Antonio, the organizers announced their 2006 Self-Service World Outstanding Achievement Awards in various categories. In the financial services category, Wincor Nixdorf won the Gold award for their Barclays Bank Branch Kiosk, and Source Technologies won the Silver award for their Cox Communications Xpress Pay Kiosk.

Looking to increase Brand Recognition and provide members with surcharge free ATMs?

Nationwide Money Services, Inc.’s Branded Cash Program is the answer. Fully endorsed by the VA Credit Union League and the CU 24 Network, our Branded Cash Program provides the ATM equipment, great locations, processing, maintenance, insurance, marketing rights and surcharge free transactions for your members, you only provide the cash and cash services for the ATM just as you would if you owned them. The ATMs look and act like your own, extending your reach or filling out your current market.

Our current CU partners include: AEDC, Beacon, Bronco, Carolina Collegiate, Educators, Freedom First, Food Lion Credit Association, Heritage Trust, Martinsville Dupont, NSWC, Old Hickory, Peoples Advantage, Southeast Financial and US Courthouse.

NMS also offers their ‘ATMs Made Easy’ Program for full service ATM management and placement services if you like the idea of having ATMs, but don’t want the hassle of day to day management and the associated costs for maintenance and unplanned expenses like triple DES.

For more information about the Branded Cash Program contact Bob Colabrese, EVP of Sales & Marketing at:

904-395-1147 or

bob.colabrese@GLXS.biz

Back to Top

For only $199, you can outfit your front door with a biometric fingerprint-recognizing lock from ADEL that will recustomer up to 100 prints and is constructed out of stainless steel and PCB-sealed with epoxy. In addition to the fingerprints, you can also get in via PIN or mechanical key. It is available for left hand and right hand opening doors, and is battery powered.

Back to Top

According to new research by Javelin Strategy & Research, contactless payments are a big hit with consumers who have tried it, but still not well known. Of those who have used the contactless cards, an overwhelming 95 percent agreed that it was both easy and fast. Those consumers who have tried it were confident in the new payment technology as well - 84 percent said it was as safe or safer than credit cards, and that they would use it for not just small purchases, but large ones as well.

In a related story, a California company has launched a line of DataSafe Wallets for men and women designed to protect contactless cards from wireless identity theft. The DataSafe line of stylish wallets from Kena Kai incorporates radio-frequency (RF) shielding material. The firm says that unlike passports, contactless cards do not have 'covers' to protect them; they contain personal financial information; and people use them much more frequently than passports. The new DataSafe Wallets will retail between $40 and $120.

Nokia has unveiled a new short-range wireless connection that is smaller and more energy-efficient than current Bluetooth technology. The new radio technology is called "Wibree" and can work alongside Bluetooth short-range wireless connections, but uses just a fraction of the power. Like Bluetooth - used to link cell phones with headsets, computers and printers to transfer calls, calendar items, documents, songs and pictures - Wibree provides a radio link of up to 30 feet between devices.

Back to Top

Security firm Intrusion has released a White Paper entitled "Safeguarding Sensitive Data in the Financial Sector." The report is based upon dozens and dozens of privacy risk assessments conducted with financial services organizations throughout the United States. The White Paper provides actual evidence of why and how customer data is leaked – and why this often results in crimes such as identity theft. They found that data was leaked in the following ways: Business Partners (58%); Customer Support (30%); Mobile Workers (5%); Unknown (6%); and Targeted Attacks (1%). The complete report can be downloaded from www.intrusion.com.

In most cases, there is no "one size fits all" security strategy that works for every bank, or every department within a large bank. The "monolithic" security approach has serious drawbacks, and this why more organizations are taking a hard look at "distributed firewalling." Learn more about this somewhat new approach to network security in the upcoming issue of BANK tech-trends - subscribe today.

Back to Top

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Leaders Roundtables! 

Back to Top

Rennhack Marketing Services' 2007 ConsumerTrac research revealed that 60% of this year’s participants said a free gift makes a difference in their banking decision, and that 83% still prefer instant gratification (a gift given on the spot). This year’s results also show that 45% of those surveyed would like being enrolled in a points or rewards program. An RMS spokesperson said that "of course, factors like interest rates, free checking and convenience remain most important when making banking decisions, but we’ve found more people are interested in branded gift incentives, and feel they deserve to be part of a rewards program that offers the same. This information is key to helping banks understand the tie-breaker that will win over, or keep, that sought after account."

Back to Top

MasterCard Worldwide has teamed up with BasePoint Analytics to develop an online monitoring tool which spots fraudulent PIN debit card transactions in real-time. The system, known as MasterCard Online Fraud Monitor uses an advanced risk-scoring model to detect potential fraudulent PIN debit transactions in real time, during the authorization process. Factors such as account spending, activity at the ATM or point-of-sale terminal, and historical transactions are used to estimate the probability of fraud.

Arcot Systems, a leading provider of multi-factor authentication, credential management, and digital signature solutions, announced a partnership with Quova, a top provider of Internet geolocation data and services, to deliver enhanced authentication capabilities for banks. Quova's GeoPoint service has been integrated with the Arcot RiskFort risk management product to provide the geographic location and connection data of Internet users. RiskFort measures the fraud potential of every online transaction and is part of Arcot’s suite of FFIEC-compliant multi-factor authentication solutions. 

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE!

ARE YOU DELIVERING THE BEST ONLINE EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Advanced Features: Corillian provides industry-leading online features for Consumers and Businesses which have been rated best in the industry

Unmatched Usability: Corillian has invested years of best practices in delivering the most compelling and user-friendly online experience

Industry-Leading Performance: Corillian customers are recognized for their high performance and reliability

Proactive Security: Increase user confidence through proactive protection of financial assets and support FFIEC guidance for strong authentication

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CORILLIAN ONLINE EXPERIENCE AT:

 WWW.CORILLIAN.COM

OR CONTACT US DIRECTLY AT:

INFO@CORILLIAN.COM

Back to Top

Internet Access

AT&T just announced enterprise-grade online services called “Online Vault” and “Remote Vault” aimed at small businesses. The service performs an initial backup of all files, and then regularly backs up new files and changes to existing files. The data is stored at AT&T hardened data centers, and files are compressed and encrypted before they are stored. If an employee accidentally deletes files on the local drive, you can retrieve them for up to four months. The business service costs $6.95 per month for the first gigabyte and $2 for each additional gigabyte. 

Infoblox, a developer of infrastructure identity appliances and solutions, claims that "fifty percent of VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) deployments have problems because of DNS (which resolves IP addresses) and DHCP (which issues IP addresses on the LAN)." They contend that providing VoIP phones to all employees effectively doubles the demand on both of these services. In response, they have come out with a "Network Services for VoIP" package. The $4,995 offering is positioned by Infoblox as a utility that uses dedicated hardware to increase the speed and reliability of DHCP and DNS.

One company says that their affordable VoIP-hosted virtual phone system is now being used by more than 5,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. Learn more about how it works in the upcoming issue of BANK tech-trends - subscribe today. 

Back to Top

Call Centers

Virtual queuing systems are automated tools that enable callers to request a callback from a service representative without losing their place in the phone queue. Critics of the systems say that such tools are essentially voicemail systems, and that telling callers you will call them back is poor customer service because it acknowledges that your call center is not properly staffed to respond in person. Proponents absolutely disagree and contend that the virtual queuing systems help lower operating costs, increase agent efficiency, and actually lead to higher caller satisfaction rates. Learn more about virtual queuing systems in the upcoming issue of BANK tech-trends - subscribe now.

Back to Top