BANK tech-trends News
 

September 28, 2009 - October 2, 2009

• 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

Seagate is now shipping what it says is the world's first 3.5-inch 6Gbps 2TB hard drive. The drive is based on the third generation of the Serial ATA standard, roughly called SATA3. However, the new drive is backward-compatible with previous versions of the SATA standard, including the SATA 1.5Gbps and SATA2 (3Gbps). To take advance of the new 6Gbps throughput speed, the Barracuda XT needs to be installed in a computer with a 6Gbps SATA controller, and Asus and Gigabyte's motherboards now have them onboard. Seagate also announced that they are now shipping enterprise hard drives with self-encrypting features. The Secure Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) option is available on the Savvio, Constellation, and Cheetah 15K.7 drives.

DIGITUS has released their Network USB DN-13009 hub which enables USB 2.0 devices to be connected directly into the network. This means that multi-functional printers, scanners, hard disks, card readers etc. can be addressed centrally from any PC on the network. The LAN connection rate is 10/100 Mbps. The hub is also backward compatible with older USB devices.

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ATMs/Kiosks

Systech Corporation and Contour Networks have collaborated on the development of a new dial to high-speed cellular connection solution for ATMs. The new connection solution incorporates a cellular interface and modem into Systech’s Internet Payment Gateway products, providing a wireless Internet connection instead of an Ethernet-based Internet connection. The firms say that ATM deployers "can realize faster and less expensive IP-based transactions, trade a $35 per month phone line for an under $10 per month cellular connection, and avoid having to replace existing dial-based hardware."

China-based GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd. announced the launch of its N Series ATM. The N Series includes a suite of products ranging from transactional kiosks to basic ATMs/cash dispensers and advanced-function ATMs, as well as cash recyclers.

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Last year HSBC made history by becoming the first bank in the world to adopt facial recognition technology to enhance security at its data centers. Since then it has installed facial biometric access control units into a number of its data centers through the United Kingdom to help protect sensitive information. HSBC said that they are now working with their facial biometric vendor OmniPerception to develop an even more secure access control system that may be extended beyond their data centers. In explaining their choice of a facial biometric solution, a HSBC spokesperson said: “to gain acceptance from the user, a biometric needs to be as non-intrusive as possible. One natural thing human beings always rely on is to be recognized by someone they know. It’s far more natural than say, getting your eye scanned or gently moving your finger across a reader to get yourself identified.”

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NACHA plans to classify mobile ACH transactions under the existing WEB code rather than create a new code for such payments, at least for the short term. Mobile payments could get their own code some time after 2010. ACH payment originators have been using three other SEC codes besides WEB to initiate payment on mobile devices: PPD, for prearranged payment and deposit entry; TEL, for telephone-based e-checks; and CIE, for customer-initiated entries.

Expanding upon its current mobile banking offerings, which consist of stand-alone and Internet banking-integrated retail and business solutions, Harland Financial Solutions announced the release of Cavion Mobile Banking SMS, as well as a mobile banking module optimized for the iPhone. Cavion Mobile Banking SMS allows customers to conduct account inquiries via text messaging by sending simple commands, such as “BAL” for balance. Cavion Mobile Banking SMS enables customers to access account balances, history, rates, important information, news and tips for using the service.

Online Banking Solutions (OBS) announced that it has launched Messenger Mobile Services, a new mobile channel to further support commercial banking transactions for banks' business customers via Online Messenger, the vendor's multi-channel delivery platform. Messenger Mobile Services allows banks to offer business customers a mobile banking channel with applications for the Apple iPhone and BlackBerry mobile devices. Atlanta-based OBS says that Online Messenger already supports SMS text message notifications, but now users will be able to view account balance, transaction information and special reports; initiate account-to-account transfers, pre-defined payments or payment batches; and receive service alerts, payment advices and urgent notifications.

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Testing and certification company NSS Labs says that new reputation-based antivirus systems are doing a better job of blocking malicious software than did their predecessors. According to NSS President Rick Moy, "not all AV is the same, there are huge differences between anti-malware products, and the reputation systems are making a considerable impact." With Trend Micro Internet Security and McAfee Total Protection, NSS compared how the software did with reputation-based detection turned both on and off. Trend Micro's software improved by 23 percent with the system active; McAfee's improved by 8 percent. Trend Micro and McAfee were also the two quickest companies to protect customers from new strains of malware, NSS said.

Security Products magazine announced the winners of its 2009 New Product of the Year Awards:

Access Control -–
Oberthur Technologies, ID-OneTM PIV-BIO

Accessories –
Dotworkz Systems, D3 Outdoor Camera

Alarm, Fire and Gas Equipment –
Honeywell, 5870API Sensor
RSI Video Technologies, Videofied XL

Business Continuity –
HID Global, HID on the Desktop

Network-Centric Security –
Firetide Inc., HotPort 7000
Intransa, Video Appliance

Perimeter Security –
Optex, REDSCAN RLS-3060

Video Surveillance –
MobiDEOS Inc., MobileCamViewer
QNAP Systems, VioStor-8040 NVR

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Core Systems:

Helping Banks Focus on Opportunities

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

Fiserv - http://www.fiserv.com Read Fiserv's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/Fiserv.pdf

Fiserv - http://www.opensolutions.com Read David Mitchell's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/OSI.pdf

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Netpresenter, a communications and alert software vendor, has introduced Netpresenter Free which is the free version of their Netpresenter Digital Signage software. The program can be used to create and publish broadcast quality, professional digital signage presentations on any screen, and the system is free for use on one screen. Netpresenter Free does not contain advertisements and offers a range of multimedia features such as video, photos, Flash images and YouTube videos. Banks looking to take advantage of the free system will need a plasma or LCD screen linked to a Windows PC with Internet connection.

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Despite the fact that PFM (personal financial management) software is getting easier to use and more affordable for banks to deploy, just five percent of Americans use PFM websites compared to many consumers who simply rely on old fashioned pen and paper to track their money. According to a survey of 2000 people from Javelin Strategy & Research, online banking is the most popular method for tracking finances, used by 59% of those polled. A fifth of respondents track their money on spreadsheets such as Excel while 12% use software like Quicken. Despite the slow take-up of PFM tools, Javelin says they have strong potential because 63% of respondents would like to see all of their accounts in one place - even if they hold them with multiple institutions.

NetSpend, a provider of card-based prepaid financial products to underbanked consumers, announced the availability of the first "virtual" card to be tied to an existing prepaid debit card account. It also includes a suite of online financial management and budgeting tools including a visual spending history report, online budgeting application and budgeting "report card." The virtual card can be created or deleted on demand, can be accessed-or created-via a mobile phone and can be used for any card-not-present transaction. Because it can be instantly deleted after a purchase, the virtual card adds an extra layer of protection for account holders who are shopping online or on the phone. Its instant issue functionality allows it to also act as a temporary backup when a cardholder loses their physical card - eliminating the waiting period to receive a replacement.

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Ensuring speedy application delivery to remote employees’ home or mobile offices requires a different strategy than typical branch office setups. There are a number of so-called soft WOCs, or software-based WAN optimization controllers, geared for mobile employees. Blue Coat, Cisco, Expand Networks and Riverbed, to name just a few vendors, are among the suppliers of software-based acceleration products.

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What is the average number of meetings a supervisor has with an employee in your call center? The answer varies wildly by call centers from a few times per week to once a month to once a quarter. Some centers insist on weekly 30 minute sessions that change topics: one week may be focused on reviewing calls and discussing quality improvements, another week may be about tips to improve productivity, sometimes it is developmental challenges, and other times it is about career goals. Some call center experts believe that supervisors must be trained on coaching or these "coaching" sessions will simply turn into "telling" sessions with the supervisor doing most of the talking. These call center consultants believe that a true coaching session consists of the agent doing most of the talking, and that if they are productive then employee satisfaction will be raised and attrition rates lowered.

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