STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 17, 2003
LONDON, Ontario -- Phoenix Interactive is now offering an EMV Kernel in its multi-vendor VISTAatm software.
According to a news release, all existing and new VISTAatm customers can ensure their ATM applications are EMV compliant with Phoenix's add-on, optional module that has undergone complete Level 2 type approval for the EMV 4.0 specifications from EMVCo.
Formed in 1999 by Europay International, MasterCard International and VISA International, EMVCo manages chip card specifications for payment systems. The latest version of the specifications, EMV version 4.0, was published in December 2000.
Several European and Asian countries are actively moving to replace magnetic stripe cards with chip cards.
"Customers around the world now have the option to implement EMV compliant chip-card functionality at their ATMs," said John Spenler, Phoenix Interactive's managing director, in the release.
According to the release, VISTAatm's single run-time code base software application for multi-vendor ATMs and modular design enables the introduction of add-on features such as the EMV kernel easily -- either within the initial implementation of VISTAatm or as a future enhancement when the ATM network is ready to adopt chip card technology.
"While the industry outside of the UK and Europe haven't had mandated requirements to adopt chip cards to date, the improved security they offer above magnetic stripe cards may be a differentiating factor. It could become a viable alternative to offset the cost of fraud in the future," Spenler said. "Our VISTAatm solution coupled with the add-on VISTAatm EMV kernel offers all customers the option and flexibility to implement an EMV-compliant ATM application when they are ready to do so."
