News

ACI adding phone top-up capability to BASE24

November 17, 2003

OMAHA, Neb. - ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: TSAI) and Boston Communications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCGI) have signed a multiyear agreement to integrate bcgi ATM Recharge with ACI's BASE24 ATM driving software.

Upon integration, ACI will have the ability to license the bcgi ATM Recharge Interface, a fully supported, end-to-end solution for prepaid wireless top-up at the ATM, to its BASE24 customers throughout the U.S.

According to a news release, the recharge interface enables prepaid wireless subscribers to top up their accounts in real time at participating ATMs, including those that display bcgi's Wireless Wallet acceptance mark. The bcgi platform acts as the bridge between the carrier and the ATM network, enabling both parties to offer enhanced services to attract customers and generate revenues.

Interoperable with multiple carrier billing platforms and multiple banking networks, bcgi
ATM Recharge delivers day-to-day transaction support, including real-time processing, post-sale reconciliation, reporting, funds settlement and point-of-sale tax compliance.

"As banks seek new, compelling offerings to increase foot traffic and squeeze more revenue out of their ATMs, it is critical for us to provide our customers with payment solutions, like prepaid wireless recharge, that deliver value and convenience," said Rick Duvall, senior product manager at ACI Worldwide.

"ACI provides us with a unique opportunity to expand our distribution network and offer our wireless carriers a more cost-effective and convenient means for subscribers to top up their prepaid mobile accounts," said E.Y. Snowden, president and CEO of bcgi.  "At the same time, bcgi and ACI are working together to help banks take advantage of revenue opportunities by reducing the cost and deployment time necessary to implement prepaid wireless account recharge at ATMs."

ACI's BASE24 software modules, which drive an estimated one third of all ATM transactions in the U.S., provide transaction routing and authorization, host and interchange interfaces, settlement, management reporting, network control and chip card functionality.

According to Boston-based research firm Yankee Group, prepaid wireless is growing faster
than postpaid service and is expected to account for 30 percent of all wireless customers by 2006. In addition, TowerGroup, a research and consulting firm focused on the global financial services industry, expects ATM-initiated mobile top-ups to account for seven percent of all top-ups in the U.S. by 2007.