Level Four Software has launched the ATM Channel Development Suite, a modular version of the UK company's test and development software which is currently in use at Royal Bank of Scotland and Abbey National.
The componentised version of the seven-year old company's ATM application software offers financial institutions a toolkit-based approach to upgrading and personalising their cash machine networks. The ATM Channel Development Suite provides a workstation-based development environment for applications that reside both at the ATM and the network provider's payments switch. It creates, prototypes, tests, manages and deploys both exiting ATM downloads and new ATM applications.
The Level Four package includes facilities for providing more dynamic and personalised content over existing networks, such as mobile phone top-up or access to supermarket loyalty schemes. The software also helps banks to upgrade their ATM networks to support the new generation of EMV smart cards.
Martin Macmillan, Level Four's CEO, says the introduction of the multi application chip card will drastically enhance the range of customer options at the ATM.
"Upgrading ATM functionality has previously been difficult because there were no adequate tools to do this and extensive manual testing was required.," he says. "With our technology a bank can automatically test and easily deploy new ATM applications and content from a central location."
By using graphical rules-based workflow, the software overcomes many of the complex log-jams previously associated with the deployment of new functionality across ATM networks, says Macmillan.
"Furthermore, because our software is not hard coded, or fixed to a certain standard or protocol, it is able to move with the times as the ATM networks change - protecting our customers' investment. This is particularly important as banks are getting ready for EMV compliance," he adds.