NCR's Kalpana software moves ATM operations to the cloud

The software reduces costs by up to 40%.

NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, unveiled a host of innovative technologies to help banks in Singapore transform their retail banking strategy to better serve customers with secure banking transactions and reduce cost of operations.

NCR introduced the biggest change to the way an ATM operates since the self-service banking channel was invented nearly 50 years ago, with Kalpana, an enterprise software platform that moves ATM software and operations to the cloud. Kalpana software runs ATMs remotely, initially through a thin-client ATM including an Android operating system, and is designed to eliminate malware and enable rapid deployment of new devices and ATM services, to reduce costs by up to 40 percent, and create amazing customer experiences.

“NCR’s Kalpana software is the most disruptive change to the ATM ecosystem in decades. Business and consumer applications are increasingly turning to enterprise or cloud-based solutions that reshape security and enable fast, nimble and dynamic customer experiences,” said Matthew Heap, director for Marketing and Solutions Management, NCR Financial Services, Asia Pacific. “Kalpana software is ideal for financial institutions and independent ATM deployers looking to improve security, quickly advance service delivery through technology, and reshape their cost to serve.”

Kalpana software seamlessly blends into existing banking and IT infrastructure, connecting to existing ATM networks and other consumer-facing channels to allow transactions and services to be shared and re-used elsewhere. This dynamic allows financial institutions and independent ATM deployers to run a combination of conventional ATMs and thin client ATMs.

Traditionally, ATMs have run on thick-client, PC-based software and hardware technologies physically found in the ATM. When compared to other consumer channels, such as online and mobile, this legacy PC architecture is more inefficient, expensive and complex. These challenges have become heightened following recent industry issues related to security and compliance. Kalpana software is more secure than traditional ATM software because all software updates are originated and controlled at the server level.

NCR unveiled a host of innovative branch transformation technologies to improve customer experience and reduce cost of operations. The NCR SelfServ 91 helps banks to offer over 90 percent of teller transactions through an assisted service model, making a modern, open plan branch layout possible helping banks to get their brand closer to customers without the costs of opening a full-service branch. While, the SelfServ 83, cash recycler with a modern interface helps banks to handle the highest volumes of both cash dispense and deposit based transactions resulting in reduced operational cost, enhanced customer service and frees branch staff to focus on sales.

“With 80 percent of product sales still being closed at the branch, it is more important than ever that banks offer an excellent customer experience, said Yiannos Papadopoulos – NCR vice president for Southeast Asia. “Bank branches continue to be an integral part of personalised banking and this trend will continue as banks look to redefine the role of branches and NCR is playing a critical role to assist banks during this transformational journey with our next-generation solutions to unlock amazing customer experiences”.

Globally ATMs distribute 50 percent of the cash that consumers carry. In certain markets there is high deposit activity and high deposit volumes, which can be costly to process and lead to delays in the branch that inconvenience the businesses depositing plus the other customers.

“As retail banking products become increasingly commoditized the customer’s experience with the branch staff may be the best opportunity for the bank to differentiate itself from the rest and cash recycling is one of the many solutions to deliver cost optimisation while enabling revenue growth and exceptional consumer service,” said Midge Pan, managing director, financial sales, NCR Singapore. “NCR’s core strategy is to combine automation and self-service in the branch, with a highly productive and enabled staff, to deliver a better branch experience for improved customer experience.”

Thin-client ATMs

The Kalpana software is part of an enterprise platform that can deliver transactions and services to traditional ATMs with Windows™ operating systems, as well as new thin-client ATMs. These ATMs can be either NCR or non-NCR branded. In order to maximise the value of the software, NCR is simultaneously launching a new thin-client hardware solution: the NCR Cx110 ATM. The ATM looks dramatically different than a traditional ATM, with a sleek, curved interface on a thin bezel. Its 10-inch touchscreen replaces the traditional pinpad, and integrated biometrics and cameras provide ATM operators and consumers with the latest in security and user experiences.

The Cx110 ATM uses tablet technology in combination with cloud technology to move control and security of ATM transactions to the deployer’s enterprise infrastructure. The NCR Cx110 ATM includes minimal client software to run the ATM. The vast majority of the bank or ATM operator’s software stack is located on enterprise servers. This new approach will reduce the cost of operating ATMs, by allowing software maintenance and upgrades to be controlled in a centralised location and providing secure automatic updates, avoiding costly visits to each ATM.

The Kalpana software will lead to the type of innovation found in mobile devices. Currently, new ATM services can take months or years to bring to market as operators navigate through a myriad of vendors, including processors, switches, ATM vendors, regulators and software makers. By operating as an enterprise services hub that integrates with an ATM operator’s transactional and information systems, the Kalpana software can introduce new services at twice the speed of today at a much lower cost.