BANK tech-trends News
 

 November 17 - November 21, 2008

• 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

Best Buy recently announced its new Blue Label program for laptops, in which the company 
partners with manufacturers to develop products based on customer-requested features. 
The Toshiba Satellite E105 is one result from this program. It responds well to consumers' requests for longer battery life, thin and lightweight design, an illuminated keyboard, and better warranty support. The 14.1-inch laptop costs just $1,099, yet offers a full selection of features, a two-year warranty, and 4 hours of battery life. Toshiba also includes 4GB of 800MHz RAM and 64-bit Windows Vista to take advantage of it, and a 320GB hard drive.

TransAct Technologies has rolled out their new BANKjet 2500 printer. The company says that the printer is fully compatible with existing banking systems and features simple drop-in paper loading and drop-in, wide cut-through validation. In addition to the BANKjet 2500, TransAct also offers the Epic 430 printer, the Ithaca 280 thermal printer and BANKjet 1500 printers.

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ATMs/Kiosks

Nautilus Hyosung is exhibiting its new Monimax ATM series at this week's BAI Retail Delivery Show. The new ATM series includes the Monimax 7600, a full-function lobby ATM with deposit-automation capability; the Monimax 6300, a check-imaging ATM with a cash acceptor for deposit and bill payment; and the Monimax 9100, a multi functional financial kiosk equipped for a variety of banking services. 

A New Zealand woman has come up with a novel low cost solution to shoulder surfing at ATMs. She has setup a company called Security Lines that paints yellow lines around ATMs that create a "comfort or security zone" for people using the ATM. These lines are similar to the "wait behind the yellow line" designs that you see at Customs areas in airports.

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The SecurePhone project aims at developing a new mobile communication system infrastructure which will ensure in a friendly way the mutual identification of mobile phone speakers enabling them to deal legally binding e-contracts and conduct mobile commerce by a mobile phone call. The system, developed by SecurePhone project partners, consists of two main elements. The first, an authentication module, uses biometric security applications to verify the user's identity. That in turn gives them access to the second module which digitally signs the data using a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). One method employs a device's digital camera along with a face recognition 
application to identify the user based on their facial features. Another uses voice recognition software, and the third verifies the handwritten signature of the user on the device's touch screen.

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Meru Networks announced a new technology development it claims will enable WiFi to 
replace Ethernet. The WiFi vendor has developed what it calls "virtual ports" that it says will make WiFi networks as reliable as switched Ethernet ports. Meru's virtual ports, the latest software on the vendor's wireless controllers, provides each user with a dedicated network service. Laptops and other devices connecting to a Meru network with virtual ports each sees a dedicated WiFi Mac address, which is similar to a wired switch port.

Mobile-banking provider Firethorn Holdings, a unit of Qualcomm, introduced expanded functionality, including the ability for banks to tailor account information as it appears on users' screens for each account, and marketing features, including the ability to send targeted promotions and the ability for customers to track rewards.

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It seems that every time there is a recession, crime goes up, and from a security professional's point of view, recessions are a time of higher risk. Some security experts warn that both internal and external attacks are likely to increase in a down economy. They say that greed, anger or desperation are what motivate insiders to attack. Employees may find themselves struggling with medical payments, mortgage payments or other financial issues. Also layoffs can potentially trigger acts of revenge. Some advise setting a policy of disabling network access before notifying employees of a layoff or dismissal.

Mi5 Networks says that their Webgate appliance delivers gateway protection against Web malware, controls Web usage and prevents confidential files from leaking out of the network. The appliance features close integration with Active Directory, a dashboard view of Web threats and activity, and an unattended clean-up agent. 

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Core Systems:

Core Systems – Collaborating to Better Serve Customers

COCC - http://www.cocc.com Read Joe Trafton's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/COCC.pdf

Fidelity Information Services - http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com Read John Schooler's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/FIS.pdf

Open Solutions - http://www.opensolutions.com Read Michael Nicastro's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/OSI.pdf

Software and Management Associates - http://www.smausa.com Read Michael W. Taylor's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/SMA.pdf

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A company called Odysii announced the U.S. availability of two in-branch solutions that enable banks to communicate more effectively with customers using digital screens. Odysii's Queue Area Solution and Teller Solution allow banks to communicate with in-branch customers at both a group and personal level to help influence sales and improve their overall in-branch experience. The solution applies branch rules based on waiting area customer data. Utilizing a bank's insight on its visitors, marketers have the ability to modify and customize messaging in real time to adjust to changing 
demographics and interest rates, new promotional offerings, and current and local business conditions. It can also present targeted messages on a small customer-facing digital screen at the teller line.

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Visa is testing a new credit card that can generate a random number passcode to help ensure it won't be used by unauthorized individuals. The Visa PIN card features an alphanumeric display and a 12-button keypad built into the back of a conventional credit, debit or prepaid card. The card, developed using technology from Australia-based Emue technologies, promises a three-year battery life. When used with Verified by Visa (VbV) the consumer would not need to register or recustomer usernames and passwords, instead they would enter their PIN into the card which creates a unique code for a specific purchase or transaction. 

In a related story, Gemalto has released their Ezio Optical Reader which they claim is the world’s first optical reader for online banking that fits in a wallet. The firm says that online bankers simply present the device in front of their PC screen and the data needed for authentication and signature generation is instantly read. In addition, it requires no software installation.

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Internet Access

VoIPshield Systems announced a VoIP security system for small organizations: the entry-level model VIPS 10. The company’s VoIP Intrusion Prevention product runs in either IDS or IPS mode with no appreciable latency in the voice traffic. They are also designed to protect the PBX and endpoints against attacks.

IBM has struck a $9.6 million deal with International Broadband Electric Communications under which it will deploy high speed Internet service that runs over power lines in rural U.S. markets underserved by traditional broadband technology. IBM will use IBEC's Broadband over Power Line (BPL) equipment to roll out BPL service to customers of electrical cooperatives that provide electricity for much of rural America. IBM estimates there are over 900 electrical cooperatives in the U.S., providing service that accounts for 45% of the country's total power grid. 

Sangoma and pbxnsip announced a joint IP telephony solution that combines Sangoma’s NetBorder Express gateway boards with pbxnsip’s Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based PBX system. By integrating these products, pbxnsip is able to offer a one-box IP telephony solution. This eliminates the need for a separate gateway, reducing deployment costs. 

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Call Centers

FurstPerson offers solutions that help organizations improve job performance and employee retention in their contact centers. The core of FurstPerson's hiring approach is a 4 Quadrant model that addresses four critical areas to be considered during a hiring process. They offer a number of pre-employment tests that assess candidates using their CC Audition Realistic Job Simulation which includes call scenarios, training and gives candidates a chance to play the part of the employee, as well as their CC AIMS and AutoScreen PLUS offerings which measure a candidates job fit, work habits and their willingness to do the needed work. They claim that they were able to successfully reduce attrition at one client by implementing a specially designed testing process, and this resulted in the client being able to save over $4,600 per person in reduced turnover.

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