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General
News
* Credit Union
tech-talk April Monthly Issue Highlights
* Harland Financial Solutions Announces Integrated Branch & Call Center Technology
* Pasadena FCU Orders Intrusion's Compliance Commander
* FSCC & Digital Dialogue Expand Call Center Services
* NT OBJECTives Launches Automated Security Solution
Here are just some of the articles from the April edition of Credit Union
tech-talk:
- Protecting USB Ports
- Different Types of Penetration Tests
- Active vs. Passive Vulnerability Scans
- Customizing Low-End CRM Packages
- Retail Banking Tips
- Five Web Conferencing Options
- New Satellite Options
- Responding to Angry E-mails
- Wireless Carriers and Disaster Recovery
- Windows ATMs Easier to Maintain
Harland Financial Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of John H. Harland Company, announced the release of its Enterprise Services Platform solution which streamlines the way branch and call center employees use technology to serve their members. An integral part of the Enterprise Services Platform is the company's Encore! Branch Automation Solution, which is now available as a Web-based solution through the Microsoft Smart Client .NET architecture. Other key elements of the Enterprise Services Platform include single points of administrative setup, workflow definition and user login.
Intrusion Inc. announced the purchase of its Compliance Commander by the Pasadena Federal Credit Union, located in Pasadena, CA. Compliance Commander is a real-time data privacy and regulatory compliance system designed to help credit unions monitor, alert and block the potential loss of members' private, non-public information (nPI). Kryptec.net, an Intrusion Certified Compliance Commander Reseller, was selected by Pasadena FCU to supply the managed compliance solution under their managed compliance service.
Two of the nation’s top 100 credit unions initiated custom call center services in the first quarter, an option available through the Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc., (FSCC) shared branch network’s 24/7 Call Center Outlet service which is managed by Digital Dialogue. Burbank, CA-based Lockheed Federal Credit Union ($2 billion in assets, 106,900 members) is using the Call Center Outlet to expand service hours to its members, while California's Provident Credit Union ($1.2 billion in assets, 88,500 members) plans to use the Call Center Outlet for overflow, and to cover regularly scheduled training meetings.
NT OBJECTives, Inc, a provider of application security solutions, announced the launch of its comprehensive solutions to help organizations develop sound security policies and processes to better assess and eliminate enterprise risks and ensure that application and web server content remains secure. Their NTOSpider product provides automated and accurate application vulnerability assessment, while its team of security professionals provides education, guidance and security process development to organizations worldwide.
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Hardware
News
The technical specs of the LG Flatron L1980Q flat-panel monitor are not that impressive, especially when considering the $800 price, but it does have one excellent feature: the ability to be flipped over 150 degrees, automatically switching the image to show correctly past the apex. While most flat panels tilt 10 or 20 degrees on their bases to help you find the best angle, the L1980Q's ability to tilt back over 150 degrees to make the screen visible to someone sitting or standing on the opposite side of the desk could be a handy feature at your credit union.
The Proware storage subsystem, which in terms of capacity, flexibility and data security, far outstrips the capabilities of a simple external hard drive. The DP-405CI is designed to unite storage space with redundancy and simple operation. It can interconnect up to four removable UltraATA hard drives in RAID (Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks) modes 0, 0+1 or 5. This makes it suitable for applications requiring fast, secure storage space in capacities up to a terabyte or so. The DP-405CI can fill in as a backup solution and connection via FireWire or USB enables easy direct access. There are lots of DAS (direct attached storage) or NAS (network attached storage) solutions, but most of them are $2,000 or much more. This Proware system is a good alternative - an attractively priced external storage unit that house a RAID array and is easily connected.
Gateway has released a new line of desktops and notebooks, a move that comes as it gains ground in US retail sales against rival Hewlett-Packard. Their three desktops are priced at $699 to $999 and complement a new line of $599 and lower priced eMachines desktops. Citing competition, HP just lowered prices on its latest Presario desktop line. HP's four new Presario desktop models range in price from $359 to $599 after rebates.
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Software
Updates
At the recent Storage Networking World show, one company was demonstrating a server recovery service for small and mid-sized businesses that they say ensures business continuity. They claim that their service quickly enables a “bare metal” restore of damaged file and application servers. Learn more in the May issue of Credit Union
tech-talk - subscribe today.
Executive Software has released Undelete 5.0, a data-protection tool that simplifies and speeds up retrieval of lost or deleted data and adds automatic file versioning for Microsoft Office files. The firm says that Undelete transparently captures earlier versions of Office documents as users modify them so that users can revert to an earlier version if necessary. Undelete 5.0 runs on Windows Server 2003/2000/NT/XP. Undelete Professional costs $39.95; the server version lists for $299.95.
Software Section Sponsored by
Raddon Financial Group (RFG) |
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--"iNTEGRATOR has proven to be a worthy addition to our marketing department. With iNTEGRATOR we are able to target market more efficiently which has resulted in higher than average response rates on our campaigns.", Kari
Hullinger, Marketing Director, Marion School Employees FCU
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Ortlinghaus, Vice President Operations, Kaiperm FCU
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ATMs/Kiosks
Much like the redesigned $20 and $50 notes issued over the last two years, the $10 denomination will be the next note slated for a make-over. The Federal Reserve will begin issuing the new $10 note in early 2006, but ATM manufacturers are working hard right now on integrating the new bill into their machines. ATM manufacturers were invited to the Bureau of Engraving's Forth Worth, Texas, plant last month and brought their ATMs along with them to test the bill on their machines. The updated $10 note will feature enhanced security features, subtle background colors and American symbols of freedom. However, only about 50% of these new features that eventually will appear in the redesigned bill are ready right now. Therefore in mid-July, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will invite ATM manufacturers back to its facilities at Fort Worth and Washington, to pick up a copy of the fully redesigned bill. The $100 note also is slated for redesign, but the government has no plans to redesign the $1, $2 and $5 notes at this time.
Mid-tier ATM maker Tranax Technologies is working with York, PA-based Livewire International Inc. to deliver a ticketing solution that runs on the Tranax Ticketing Self-Service Terminal — a machine that has traditional ATM functionality and self-service ticketing technologies. The Livewire solution dispenses tickets to places like amusement parts, ski resorts, sporting events, and cruise and bus tours.
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ATMs/Kiosks Section Sponsored by
Nationwide Money Services
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Looking to increase Brand Recognition and provide members with
surcharge free ATMs?
Nationwide Money Services, Inc.’s Branded Cash Program is the answer. Fully endorsed by the VA Credit Union League and the CU 24 Network, our Branded Cash Program provides the ATM equipment, great locations, processing, maintenance, insurance, marketing rights and surcharge free transactions for your members, you only provide the cash and cash services for the ATM just as you would if you owned them. The ATMs look and act like your own, extending your reach or filling out your current market.
Our current CU partners include: AEDC, Beacon, Bronco, Carolina Collegiate, Educators, Freedom First, Food Lion Credit Association, Heritage Trust, Martinsville
Dupont, NSWC, Old Hickory, Peoples Advantage, Southeast Financial and US Courthouse.
NMS also offers their ‘ATMs Made Easy’ Program for full service ATM management and placement services if you like the idea of having ATMs, but don’t want the hassle of day to day management and the associated costs for maintenance and unplanned expenses like triple DES.
For more information about the Branded Cash Program contact Bob Colabrese, EVP of Sales & Marketing at 904-395-1147 or
bob.colabrese@GLXS.biz.
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SAFLINK Corporation has updated its flagship authentication security software product, SAFsolution Enterprise Edition (SAFsolution). Through a variety of strong authentication methods, namely biometrics and smart cards, SAFsolution is designed to boost Windows network and workstation authentication security. SAFsolution Enterprise Edition 1.3 now supports Ensure Technologies' XyLoc proximity badges; providing improved flexibility, security and convenience in complex operational environments. Working in conjunction with an XyLoc-enabled system, SAFsolution workstations automatically recognize when an authorized user enters an area. The combined technology reduces logon time, which permits users to access data and applications quicker. Proximity badges also help SAFsolution workstations protect confidential data and network access when the user leaves the area by automatically locking the PC's screensaver.
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Wireless
World
A company called Actiontec offers a 54Mbps Wireless Network Camera. It allows for simple access from a web browser and the video stream is fairly clean, at least at the 320x240 resolution. There can be a slowdown however, when the resolution goes up to 640x480. Regardless, it is a small, easily mounted camera with a built-in microphone and email-capable motion detector for just about $200.
The 802.11b standard specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps, but this original standard is becoming extinct thanks to the pricing strategies of several vendors. Netgear and Viewsonic, for example, offer rebates on their 802.11g gear which bring the "g" price to the level of Linksys' after-rebate 802.11b devices - or even lower. D-Link and Netgear are offering rebates which result in the net price of their vanilla 802.11g gear being at or below their own 802.11b devices. The lower prices of 802.11g have caused more and more stores to begin to remove 802.11b gear off their shelves. 802.11g now defines the low end of WiFi, aided by various speed boosting technologies to bring its speed from 54 Mbps to about 108 Mbps.
Minneapolis is the latest city to unveil a plan to launch a privately owned municipal WiFi network. The proposed network is estimated to cost between $15 million and $20 million to build and will offer data service at speeds between 1 Mbps and 3 Mbps. Residents will be able to buy access for $18 to $24 per month. The network is expected to create economic incentives for businesses to locate to the Minneapolis area.
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Security
Section
Credit unions looking to improve their physical security may want to take a look at CyberLock which is an innovative lock system that easily converts existing mechanical locks into an access control system. Each CyberLock cylinder is an electronic version of a standard mechanical lock cylinder. The lock installs without wiring of any kind, and does not contain a battery. The power required to open a lock comes from the battery in the key. The CyberKeys are programmed with the access privileges for each user. A standard key holds a list of up to 3,300 locks the user can open, with the schedule of days and times they are allowed in. Each time a key is used at a lock, a record of the lock ID, date, and time is stored in the key, and a record of the key ID, date, and time is stored in the lock. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, CyberLock tracks and controls access to safes, cash drawers, server cabinets, file cabinets, padlocked gates, etc.
Centennial Software is the latest company to announce a product designed to help secure networks by letting organizations better control portable USB-based storage devices such as flash drives and even iPods. DeviceWall employs a server program to set up usage policies and a software agent, running on Windows PCs and notebooks, to enforce them. It can block the use of all USB storage devices plugged into PCs, or permit use of specific devices based on individual users or groups of users. DeviceWall starts at $25 per client.
Credit unions are required by law to check the names of their members against lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the US Treasury. However when questions arise and they need to contact OFAC via phone, they are more likely to reach OFAC's automated hotline than a human operator. That is because typically less than 15 employees at OFAC are working the phones out of 133 employees in total. However OFAC's automated system may be able to help somewhat - it steps your employees through the most pertinent criteria and frequently asked questions involved with filing a report in a way that should hopefully avoid false positives.
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Leaders
Roundtable
CU Security:
Beyond the Moat - Comprehensive Security Strategies
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Technology
and Marketing
According to research by the Council on Financial Competition, pricing is not as important to financial institution customers as honest advice and understanding their needs. Their studies reveal that "responsive service" is the most important driver of satisfaction. They found that a "good relationship" includes: 1) a fair, two-way relationship; 2) employees who listen; and 3) an environment that makes the consumer feel valued. The bottom line: personalization wins over pricing.
San Diego-based North Island Credit Union has formed an internal group called ni-i3, which stands for North Island CU - ideas, innovation, implementation. Nearly 50 employees are charged with helping to develop new products or services or ways to deliver them by using one of three of the credit union's member promises: ease of use, worry free, and fun.
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Technology &
Marketing Section Sponsored by
WireSpring Technologies
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Using Digital Signage to
Improve
Member Communication and
Branch Merchandising
Alternatively known as dynamic signage, electronic signage, multi-media merchandising or narrowcasting, networks of digital signs are becoming commonplace in credit unions across America. Smaller credit unions with limited budgets are implementing low cost LCD panels and/or traditional CRTs in conjunction with traditional product displays. Larger credit unions are often opting for more impressive larger displays including rear projection TVs, large
LCDs, and plasmas.
Credit union marketing directors have found they like the flexibility of digital merchandising because they can easily change the content and keep it fresh. There are tremendous marketing opportunities for digital signage behind the teller line and in any waiting area at your credit union. Digital merchandising communicates in more efficient and compelling ways than traditional merchandising. Isn't it time that your credit union looked into an affordable digital signage solution for your branches?
WireSpring is offering Credit Union tech-talk readers a FREE 30-day trial of its digital signage suite for credit unions. This includes sample content templates and personalized assistance to get your network up and running. We'll also send you a free copy of our digital signage guide for credit unions, to help you decide if digital signage is right for you. To get started today, please visit
our Credit
Union Digital Signage Page.
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Online
Banking/E-Commerce/Website Design
The Internal Revenue Service expects a record number of taxpayers - more than half - to file returns electronically this year. Not surprisingly, millions of visitors per day swamped the IRS website last week. Traffic at HRBlock.com and Intuit's TurboTax site also surged. The IRS also reported a surge this year in taxpayers taking advantage of its Free File program, through which it offers free tax preparation software from Intuit, H&R Block, 2nd Story Software and many others. This year, the agency has so far accepted nearly 4.2 million returns through the program, about 44 percent more than a year ago. Finally, more taxpayers have elected to collect refunds via direct deposit into their credit union accounts, with the IRS using the direct deposit option for 44 million refunds so far this year.
Financial institutions that invest in and promote the security of their online websites stand to differentiate themselves from their competitors and win consumers, according to a consumer attitude study from JupiterResearch. The report, 'Online Banking: Employing Security as a Differentiator', found that, in a climate of heightened consumer awareness and concern about online security and fraud, 37% of online banking consumers believe some FIs are more secure than others, while 43% place online banking security among the top-three factors in selecting where to conduct their finances.
VISA has unveiled a new currency conversion website for consumers to approximate the rate that cardholders will receive when using their card internationally. Users also need to know the optional issuer mark-ups (1%-4%) that some FIs assess on international transactions. As of April 1st, VISA assesses a 1% "International Service Assessment" to issuers. Previously VISA charged issuing FIs a 1% multi-currency conversion fee. The ISA is not a currency conversion fee. The ISA is charged to issuers on same currency, cross-border transactions like dynamic currency conversion. Many issuers have boosted their markups from 2% to 3% as of April 1st. The VISA rate used for the calculator is selected from a range of rates available in wholesale currency markets or the government-mandated rate in effect one day prior to the applicable central processing date.
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Internet
Access
According to Centrepoint Technologies, voice over IP (VoIP) still isn't ready to completely take over the world of voice communications. This somewhat surprising in that Centrepoint Technologies is a VoIP hardware maker. Their CEO reiterated the need for an organization to maintain connections to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) despite the promise of VoIP. Centrepoint's VoIP-equipped TalkSwitch 48-CVA IP PBX integrates with existing telephone equipment, allowing users to place calls with traditional analog phones over IP networks or PSTN. Organizations can thus maintain PSTN connections in the event of power failures and deploy VoIP services at reduced costs without having to invest in IP handsets.
VoIP proponents argue that converged networking has created new options for organizations to reduce their telecom investment and monthly operating costs, while adding features and benefits that are available only when voice, data and video share the same platform. They will show some cost savings based on 50, 250 and 500 users in a single office in the May issue of Credit Union
tech-talk - subscribe now.
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Call
Centers
For small call centers, recruitment and assessment packages are often out of reach. However, Banks & Dean, a professional services and consulting firm, fulfills the recruitment and assessment needs of small and mid-size centers with its Integrated Recruiting and Selection System. The company's Web-based software makes it easy for you to filter applicants automatically without taking up a lot of your time. When candidates decide to apply for positions, they take an on-line psychometric test, which includes multiple-choice questions to evaluate their experience, background and skills. Once candidates pass this initial screening, the software provides them with a more comprehensive test that determines the type of positions candidates are best suited to, such as inbound member service, inbound upselling and cross-selling, outbound sales, etc. You can even schedule automated phone calls with candidates to assess their verbal skills.
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Conferences
Catch
Tom and Bill Rogers, Associate Editor of Credit Union
tech-talk at the following conferences in
2005:
May
11 -13, New Orleans, LA - Credit Union
InfoSecurity Conference
June
29, Las Vegas, NV - Financial Service Centers Cooperative’s Shared Branching
Conference
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