NCR, ING simplify ATM network operation with data center solutions

By ATMmarketplace.com

NCR Corp. has announced that it is now running and managing the entire ATM network of ING-DiBa, Germany's largest direct bank.

An upcoming change in data center providers was the ideal opportunity for ING to simplify the operation of its ATM network, consolidate service contracts, and move to a new, service-oriented architecture approach, the company said in a press release.

In the course of the transition, NCR software solutions have been deployed across the ATM network, with an NCR data center as the heart of the new setup.

The NCR Top Client Server was installed across ING's multivendor ATM fleet, connecting machines to the data center. From within the NCR data center, the server application NCR Operate, handles ATM transactions and records, and reports on the running of the ATM network.

NCR Connections provides web service capabilities to ING, and NCR APTRA Vision monitors the network. ING-DiBa also uses NCR OptiCash to automate its ATM cash management.

For the remote transition of the ATMs, NCR had to modify the software so that legacy systems with low memory, limited computing power and slow network connection could be upgraded and transitioned to the new platform. At the same time, NCR increased security measures on all systems.

Cash management processes that took one employee at ING-DiBa about one hour every day are now handled with NCR OptiCash. The solution automatically analyzes and forecasts the individual requirements for each cashpoint in the network.

"Entrusting us with the management of its ATM network is a strong vote of confidence from ING-DiBa," said Harald Heinz, NCR area sales leader for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "This project allowed us to bring the strength and wealth of our expertise and experience to the table and submit a tailored concept for ING-DiBa. Our project team of software, hardware and service experts put the plan into action in the agreed time frame."

ING-DiBa serves more than 1.5 million current account customers with cash services through 1,200 ATMs at gas stations, and in shopping centers, large retail stores and hotels.