Greetings and felicitations:
Here is some information I was able to extract from NCR about a
machine it has which is supposed to be accessible to the blind.
I don't know anything about its cost nor about its availability
in the United States. However, it does hold out some promise for
us.
Regards,
Curtis Chong
chong99@concentric.net
Usability - Access for all
NCR's latest line of personaS self service terminals is designed to
provide even more users with comfortable access to the increased
facilities available from this fast-growing sector of personal
banking.
personaS ABMs address the needs of the largest possible user
population, including the disabled and elderly. What's more, the
terminals are suitable for a variety of locations including
countertop, lobby and drive-up. So in addition to ensuring that
the user interface is always at an optimal height for comfort and
ease of use, ABM users are provided with the highest levels of
security and privacy.
The disabled have specific requirements when using use self
service machines. In fact, many of the requirements have been
enshrined by law in several countries. In a number of instances
NCR has contributed to, and continues to work with, parties such as
the CNIB that are helping draw up such legislation around the
world.
In Canada, NCR is a key member of the Canadian Bankers
Association's Steering Committee and Task Force on Accessibility
Standards for ABMs. The role of this body is to help better
understand and address Canadian-specific market needs.
The personaS line of self service systems is designed to meet
many requirements for able-bodied users and those with special
needs. For example, the maximum height of the user interface is
47.25 ", which conforms to standards set for wheelchair-bound users
in both Canada and California, where some of the most stringent
standards in the world exist.
For users with other disabilities, personaS can be adapted to
provide maximum utility. The blind or partially sighted can take
advantage of such features as tactile stainless-steel keytips,
combined with Braille legends on the PIN keyboard and consistent
keyboard positioning throughout the product range. These design
components all help to maximize the use of self service systems.
The private audio leadthrough system uses NCR Digital Audio
and a simple personal headphone- style headphone jack, which can
take users privately through the self service process, providing
usage instructions, account details and general feedback.
# # # # #
Meeting the demands of the consumer
In today's marketplace, consumers of financial services are much
different than those of even ten years ago. Primary market research
by several firms indicates that consumers in the 1990s are
generally better educated about financial products, more likely to
select a service provider on the basis of reputation, and in
greater need of time and place convenience when accessing services.
These consumer trends have led financial institutions to the
conclusion that their delivery mechanisms must be capable of
satisfying consumer desires, while strongly tying in to the
institution's overall branding efforts.
NCR has responded to these trends with its latest line of ABMs -
the personaS -- an innovative series of enhancements to NCR's
current self service family of products, as well as an investment
protection for previous product lines.
The enhancements extend the breadth of services customers can
access through the ABM, allowing deployment of new services in a
timely manner, and making the terminals more accessible to the
disabled. The improvements also protect financial institutions'
investments in existing self service technology.
In addition, NCR offers institutions the unique ability to
customize terminals according to specific image and branding
strategies. The enhancements make the institution, and the
products and services it offers, more visible.
NCR customizes and delivers products in whatever colour(s) the
customer specifies. The ABM screen is also bigger, and offers
enhanced graphics capabilities. Both of these features improve
branding and merchandising capabilities.
Other features include a redesigned user interface. The
personaS solution is more convenient, enhances privacy, and makes
NCR the first ABM provider to comply with the more stringent
accessibility requirements outlined in emerging Canadian standards.
Thermal graphics printing capability is incorporated on both
receipt and document/statement printers. This, in addition to
enhanced PC processors, extends the range of products and services
the device can deliver.
- more -
/2...meeting the demands of the consumer
Graphics printers allow printing of virtually any image, i.e.
coupons, documents, tickets, etc. This functionality is essential
when searching for better ways to enhance revenue generation at the
self service terminal. The printers are also much more reliable
than earlier technologies.
personaS is supported by NCR's unique Self Service Development
System (SSDS) which makes rapid development, simulation and testing
of new products and services feasible. NCR's unique Software
Management solution allows the rapid deployment of these new
applications and functionality from a central point across an
entire ABM network, allowing providers to reduce both "time to
market" and cost of these new offerings. Support for both OS/2 and
Windows NT means integration of a wider variety of third party
applications and tools is feasible.
NCR can also offer these enhancements to installed fourth
generation 5600 model ABMs. personaS incorporates most of the
same modules as the 5600 products, i.e. dispenser, card readers,
depository, Document Processing Module, etc.
In fact, the personaS card reader which incorporates support for
both smart cards and magnetic stripe cards is available on both
the 5600 family as well as the older third generation 5000 family.
The 5000 family began production over fifteen years ago, and this
fact underscores NCR's commitment to backwards migration as far
back in the product family as is technologically feasible. Looking
forward, because NCR products are based on an industry standard PC
platform, enhancements such as new processors, graphics printers,
and OS support are completely compatible backwards and forwards
through the family.
Today's ABM can serve as a point of exchange, a point
of fulfilment, a point of purchase, a point of deposit and a point
of communication. ABMs can be used to dispense a wide range of
items like lottery tickets, pre-paid phone cards, and even casino
chips. ABMs can be used to present items of value ranging from
advertising and insurance certificates, to location guides and
maps. ABMs can be used to deposit items of value including RRSP
renewals, charitable donations, commercial deposits, and even act
as a lottery ticket redemption device. And ABMs can print items of
value like gift certificates, coupons, money orders, theatre,
movie, transit and event tickets of all kinds.
Clearly, there are virtually no limits to the ability
of tailored personaS to address the needs of an individual
provider and the demands of its individual customers. The new age
of banking -- the age of the consumer-- demands an ABM that has the
maximum flexibility. Only NCR's personaS meets these demands.
End of Message
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