NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today announced it has signed a multimillion dollar deal with Westpac New Zealand to implement the country's most up-to-date, standards-compliant ATM network and help fulfil the bank's promise of better service in its branches.
"They will experience the fastest ATM transactions, the world's biggest touchscreen interface and be protected by the highest levels of security and standards compliance available anywhere."
By June 2010, more than 400 devices - 80 percent of the bank's network - will be replaced with next generation NCR SelfServ™ ATMs, helping the bank reduce costs and improve customer service. In its new community branches, Westpac will deploy the NCR Teller Cash Recycler (TCR) solution, which promotes more face-to-face contact between customers and staff.
As well as ATM and TCR hardware and software, the deal includes on-site maintenance, remote support and helpdesk services for up to nine years in renewable three-year terms. The NCR Managed Services offering will help the bank maximise the performance and availability of the ATM network, ensuring its services are available whenever customers need them.
"Our agreement with NCR means Westpac's customers will enjoy the best ATM experience possible thanks to the very latest technology, some of which has not been seen in New Zealand before," said Anand Ranchord, Westpac New Zealand's business development manager.
"They will experience the fastest ATM transactions, the world's biggest touchscreen interface and be protected by the highest levels of security and standards compliance available anywhere."
The new NCR technology will play a central role in the bank's return to more convenient, community-based banking announced in December last year. Under the initiative, Westpac New Zealand is opening new, smaller branches in a bid to get closer to its customers.
The branches' 24-hour lobbies will feature NCR SelfServ ATMs equipped with "intelligent" deposit functionality and an integrated night safe so that personal and business customers can deposit cash and cheques at a time convenient to them, instead of being restricted to branch opening times.
Inside the new branches, NCR's Teller Cash Recycler solution will enable staff and customers to enjoy more face-to-face contact. TCRs quickly and securely accept, count and dispense cash, allowing branch tellers to focus their attention on the customer, not on the transaction. Up to 40 percent of a teller's time today is spent just counting and re-counting cash. The inherent security of NCR Teller Cash Recyclers means that obstructive barriers between staff and customers can be removed for a friendlier, more open branch environment.
"Our investment in TCRs will enable our branch staff to better engage with customers and give them the help and advice they need," said Ranchord.
Ross Checkley, managing director of NCR in South Pacific, said, "By entering into this landmark, multi-year agreement for NCR hardware, software and services, Westpac New Zealand has clearly demonstrated that it puts its customers first."
"As well as the advanced functionality and the unique 'self-healing' capability built into every NCR SelfServ ATM, our remote servicing capability means that we can be alerted to, and fix, potential ATM problems before they occur. In Westpac's new branches, NCR TCRs will ensure shorter queues and more face-to-face service. As a result of its investment in NCR solutions, Westpac will be able to provide more services to more of its customers more of the time."
As part of the ATM refresh, Westpac New Zealand will move to the NCR APTRA™ Edge software platform, enabling the bank to quickly and easily add a host of new transactions in the future, such as bill payment and on-screen interactive promotions to help cross-sell other bank products and services.
In line with its commitment to the environment, the bank has opted for two paper-saving features unique to NCR SelfServ: dual receipt roll capability eliminates receipt paper wastage when rolls are changed, and patented 2ST™ double-sided receipt printing can reduce the amount of paper dispensed by up to 45 percent.