The company's BASE24-eps solution is the focus of the ACI/IBM efforts.

BASE24-eps was the subject of an IBM Redbook in 2006, providing detailed information about how the software is deployed on IBM's z/OS platform. IBM has now published a supporting Redpaper that details the considerations to be taken into account by customers as they plan for when and how to undertake a migration to BASE24-eps as their engine for consumer payments processing.

Financial institutions are under increasing pressure to upgrade legacy payment systems to keep pace with the growth in electronic payments volume, regulatory changes, and obsolescence of technology. The combination of BASE24-eps on IBM System z offers a secure and powerful high-availability solution for supporting business growth while taking advantage of modern software architectures and the reliability and stability of IBM's hardware and software platform. In addition, BASE24-eps compliments ACI Payments Manager on System z to automate back office functions and leverage IBM's virtualisation strategy to lower operating cost.

"BASE24-eps on System z provides a compelling offering for ACI customers," said Philip Heasley, president and CEO of ACI Worldwide, Inc. "We continue to build momentum in our relationship with IBM, focused on providing gold-standard solutions to help our customers stay competitive."

June Yee Felix, general manager of banking solutions and strategy at IBM, said, "The combination of IBM and ACI is more important than ever to our clients as they work through major projects to transform their payments business. Banks require payment systems that are integrated, open, flexible, scalable and secure. The Red-series publications will help joint customers take advantage of IBM and ACI technologies and skills to systematically renovate their payment systems, lower operating costs, and drive more value through this powerful combination."