Microsoft Ushers In A New Era of Convenience and Functionality
It can be easy to forget that the ATM channel is the most heavily used touchpoint by consumers. It has been deployed by financial institutions around the globe for decades to extend their footprint. While it was the first 24/7 channel and is often viewed as a mere cash dispenser, the ATM is now evolving into a new era of increased functionality.
Many ATMs now run under Microsoft Windows which allows for all kinds of advancements, particularly in the area of the user interface. Today, consumers enjoy a much more user-friendly graphical interface that often includes touchscreens. The Windows environment permits much richer interfaces and content, plus the ability to personalize and streamline the screens to each user’s preference for language, withdrawal amount, etc.
In the near future, we will see much closer integration between ATMs and online banking platforms. Users will be able to set preferences online and then see the results the next time they use one of their institution’s ATMs. Open service issues can be tracked and updated at the ATM, and important alerts posted as needed. Institutions will be able to tailor marketing messages and banner ads based on each user’s relationship with them by integrating their CRM and core data processing system more closely with their ATM fleets. Product and service offers can be presented at the ATM, and then completed at a branch or via the call center. We believe that these types of multi-channel campaigns can be very effective if they are tailored to each user.
One of our large West Coast bank customers is using Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) to accomplish these types of new ATM services. WPF is the graphical subsystem feature of the .NET Framework and provides a consistent programming model for building applications and delivers a clear separation between the user interface and the business logic. In essence, WPF has allowed the bank to let the application programmers and the graphic artists do their work separately, and then bring it together for a much more appealing user interface at the ATM.
There are many other trends that are positively affecting the ATM channel: increased bandwidth to the ATM; Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) that makes it easier to interface with CRM and other back-office systems; and Interactive Financial Exchange (IFX) that promises better interoperability in multi-vendor ATM networks. At Microsoft, we are also working hard to make ATM management easier and more seamless – witness our efforts to integrate Windows-based ATMs into Active Directory and Microsoft Operations Manager. It is an exciting time for ATMs and we are pleased to be on the forefront of ATM software development tools and trends.
Microsoft Ushers In A New Era of Convenience and Functionality
Integrating ATMs with Other Self-Service Channels
Moving ATMs Toward a More Full Service Environment
Unbundling to Lower TCO and Maximize Profitability of ATMs