NORTH CANTON, Ohio - Diebold Inc. (NYSE: DBD) is expanding its deposit-automation family with its intelligent depository module. The IDM was recently showcased at TransPay in Orlando.

Diebold introduced its first IDM in 1991. The fifth generation of Diebold's intelligent depository employs advanced technology to deliver lower total cost of ownership for the financial institution, greater ease of use for the consumer and enhanced security and fraud detection. The new IDM also offers advancements in both security and operation.

Danny O'Brien, Diebold's senior vice president of global product marketing, management and engineering, said the new module raises the bar for deposit automation technology.

"Diebold's fifth-generation IDM represents a new standard in ATM check-imaging technology," O'Brien said. "We're always working to improve functionality for our customers and simplify use for their customers. That's exactly what the new module will do."

Among the fifth generation's most important advancements are those that enhance security. The module includes a patent-pending, double-detect capability, which prevents the insertion of multiple checks; and patent-pending, enhanced magnetic ink detection, which reduces the risk of accepting photocopied checks by sensing and reporting suspicious magnetism. The IDM also includes the exclusive self-service application of Carreker Corp.'s Quality Assurance Suite, Image Inspector, which improves the accuracy of fraud-detection systems and enhances and verifies the quality of check images.

Diebold's IDM can stack and store up to 1,000 checks - more than twice the number previous models could. And the module makes accepts crumpled, curled or creased checks.

"Our goal is to develop products that can help improve the businesses of our customers around the globe," O'Brien said. "As our customers' needs continue to evolve, we're constantly improving our technologies to provide the innovative features and functionalities our customers have come to expect from Diebold."

IDM can be easily incorporated into Opteva advanced-function ATMs without functionality losses or excessive terminal changes. Appropriate for the global financial services marketplace, it includes a magnetic-read head that can recognize the CMC-7 magnetic ink character recognition format used in international markets. The module will be available in the United States and in markets around the world beginning in second quarter 2005.