STRATEGIC PARTNERS
May 7, 2003
Date: 03/25/03
Quick, Single-Step Process Enables 24x7 Testing, Faster Upgrades
Paragon Application Systems, Inc., a software and services provider for the financial services industry, announced today that it has introduced the first Web-based, automated self-certification tool for transaction processing. More than 300 clients of transaction processor Concord, EFS Inc. are already using the test file generator to re-confirm their hosts' processing capabilities following technology changes and upgrades.
Concord is the first processor in the U.S. to implement the system, with full deployment to reach more than 2,000 of its full-service and processing clients. "We wanted to design a web-based tool that would let Concord's clients test their host processing systems whenever they liked, while reducing costs and remaining easy enough to use that their in-house staff could perform the process on their own," said Peter Sturgess, Vice President of Paragon Application Systems. "This application frees Concord's technicians of routine testing tasks, allowing them to concentrate on more advanced client service questions and enhancing customer satisfaction."
"With this first-of-its-kind 'self-serve' tool, the re-certification process is made simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for our clients," said Michael Sears, Director of Client Implementations at Concord, EFS. "At least as important, it helps our financial institution clients gain access to processing innovations and upgrades more rapidly than with manual testing. We're proud to be the first U.S. processor to offer our clients this unique capability."
Using Paragon's web-based test file generator, file creation and delivery is one simple process, which can be performed without the involvement of Concord technicians. Concord clients can create their own unique processing test files, and can conduct repeat testing using various settings to forecast different processing scenarios. Users can even begin testing the processing of next generation file types that they have not yet implemented.
