ATLANTA -- Behind the scenes of FleetBoston Financial's recent deployment of advanced ATMs in New York City, and coming soon to Boston, is a software transition made possible by NCR Corporation's (NYSE:NCR) APTRA software suite.
NCR will showcase the Microsoft Windows NT-based platform, which allowed FleetBoston to launch advanced functions regardless of the units' original manufacturer, in its booth at this week's BAI Retail Delivery Show Nov. 5-7 in Atlanta.
FleetBoston's move to a browser-based platform enabled the first rollout of advanced ATM functionality in the Northeast, according to a news release. NCR's APTRA software drives both the NCR-made machines in New York City and, soon, a competitive manufacturer's units in Boston.
Andy Orent, vice president of self-service for NCR's Americas region, said, "Previously, financial institutions deployed separate software for each manufacturer's units. Adding new functionality was expensive because it had to be duplicated for each hardware platform."
Nandita Bakhshi, executive vice president of the deposit/payments product group at FleetBoston, said, "Generally, consumers are unaware of the software behind the ATM and usually cannot differentiate between a traditional and an advanced ATM. At FleetBoston, we built-in new, obvious differences so our customers would immediately recognize that these ATMs are more convenient. So far, FleetBoston customers have responded quite positively to the new functionality."
FleetBoston customers can select from seven language preferences, purchase postage stamps, have easy electronic access to their credit accounts, utilize a preset withdrawal amount through a "Fleet Cash" hot button and access voice guidance for the visually impaired.
By year-end, Fleet's Advanced ATMs will provide access to online bill payment and 30-day statements through the Fleet HomeLink online banking service.
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