VISTAatm enables users to select from a variety of check imaging and bulk-cash acceptance hardware from manufacturers such as NCR, Diebold and Wincor-Nixdorf while also benefiting from the open and flexible VISTAatm platform to deliver a single solution with integration into virtually any image exchange solution.

Phoenix has a long and successful track record in the delivery of check imaging solutions dating back to 1997 with the US government sector's implementation of motor vehicle registration renewal at self service terminals (NCR 56xx). These self-service terminals, running Phoenix software, supported payment by check, MICR detection, display of the check to the customer for confirmation and amount verification.

Since then, and as a result of Check21 legislation, a number of financial institutions have tested and deployed envelope-free deposits inclusive of check imaging and bulk cash acceptance at the ATM.

"Industry adoption of deposit automation at the ATM channel has been slower than anticipated in part due to the costs and inadequacies of the technology and the lack of infrastructure required for image transfer and truncation of the original paper check," stated Doug Parr, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Phoenix. "However, as a result of initiatives like Check 21 much of this technology and infrastructure is now proven and in place and we are seeing a significant move to ATM deposit automation."

Technology enhancements include improved amount recognition accuracy and image quality analysis and scoring, acceptance of checks and cash in "any which way" orientation, and acceptance of multiple checks at once. Industry sources indicate that these enhancements facilitate achievement of significant cost savings of as much as $1.30/deposit from reduced manual handling of envelope deposits at the ATM. However, it is also equally as important to consider the customer experience.

"One of the challenges with deployment of deposit automation in a large-scale, multi-vendor environment is a consistent and intuitive customer experience," offered Nancy Odell, Phoenix's Manager of Product Marketing. "As the technology and devices mature with improved capabilities, successful image capture, image evaluation and proactive error-handling so too must the ability for the terminal software responsible for managing the customer experience. Customer adoption of deposit automation will only strengthen when a solution can seamlessly present them with the same experience and manage any issues with the deposit elegantly."

The VISTAatm Deposit Automation module fully supports all XFS 3.0 check imaging and bulk cash devices and the capabilities of the hardware to capture, display and print check images and to accept bulk cash deposits--in a multi-vendor, multi-channel environment. Regardless of the hardware platform or image exchange solutions from the industry leaders, the Phoenix single application solution is a fit. Additionally, the VISTAatm Deposit Automation module supports IQA image inspection, quality analysis and scoring and image transfer with the ability to utilize a consistent industry standard technology across multiple vendor platforms and back-end image transfer systems. This includes MICR recognition, support for OEM CAR/LAR (Original Equipment Manufacturers' check courtesy and legal amount recognition). Additional fraud/counterfeit support for the European Council Regulation 1338, Article 6 (Paragraph 6) is provided in the VISTAatm module.

"The built-in business functions within VISTAatm for single and bulk check and bulk cash acceptance ensure global industry compliance and an optimum user experience by employing 'best practices' for self service based on Phoenix's extensive experience with this technology," continued Parr. "What better insurance does a bank have in knowing that their deposit automation project will go smoothly with optimum customer acceptance?"