News

IFX version 1.9 released

September 21, 2012

The Interactive Financial eXchange Forum this week announced the publication of Version 1.9 of IFX, its open, interoperable standard for financial data exchange. The new version is available at no charge at ifxforum.org.

IFX 1.9 honors the Forum's commitment to continue supporting IFX Version 1 after the launch of Version 2. Enhancements in the new version focus on ATM implementations and compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard. Operational improvements and some corrections to existing material also were made.

Enhancements to IFX Version 1.9 include:

• Support for devices that can operate in multiple modes (i.e., clerk/teller-operated vs. customer-operated, depending on the time of day), allowing more dynamic interaction between the terminal and the server.
• Message extension that allows a device to customize operations based on the services a customer is enrolled in, such as mortgage, investment, etc.
• Europe-focused ATM enhancements, such as support for local security requirements that exceed those covered by the common industry security standards, and support for Germany's Modular Merkmal card security token.
• Removal of any sensitive authentication data, as defined by the PCI DSS, from consumer-initiated Reverse and Modify messages — applicable across all IFX implementations.
• Support for ATM overdraft notification to customers.
• Enhancements to ATM cash dispensing and check processing modules,

"The enhancements and extensions in IFX 1.9 are important for IFX ATM-POS implementations, with special application for those in Europe," said Richard P. Urban, president of the IFX Forum. "The new material demonstrates IFX's international orientation especially well, along with the excellent cross-industry collaboration within the forum's working groups. I encourage anyone who is interested in furthering the value of IFX in a particular region or sector to join us, and participate in setting future direction for the specification."

IFX 1.9 continues the forum's commitment to a business-first, service-oriented approach to standards development. Hundreds of organizations worldwide have used IFX; adopters range from large multinational corporations to small focused companies and self-employed consultants, from banks to vendors to service providers, from all regions of the globe.

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