First National Systems Corp. and Banctec Inc. have joined the parade of software companies into the Windows applications market.
Dallas-based Banctec released Windows versions of two customer information software packages for community banks, Access and Banker.
First National Systems of Cotuit, Mass., came out with a Windows version of its accounting package, Financial Executive Support System.
Both companies are responding to growing demand for software compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Banctec is entering into Windows-based environments for the first time, said Bill Maxwell, vice president of community banking.
Its two products are designed for separate segments of the community banking market: Access for institutions with less than $1 billion of assets and Banker for those with up to $4 billion.
Some of Banctec's clients are calling for a Windows approach. Lamar (Mo.) Bank and Trust of Lamar expects to move to Windows in early 1997. Danny R. Little, the bank's executive vice president, said, "We want to move to a true client/server environment."
Using a Windows-based system is "more intuitive" and "easier to learn," Mr. Little said.
The Lamar bank has been using the Access system for four years on a DOS- based system.
The First National Systems product was designed to meet the needs of chief financial officers, said Norman E. Weill, the software company's president. The target market is community banks in the $50 million- to $1 billion-asset range.
"The world today involves working in a graphical-interface environment," Mr. Weill said, referring to the menu-based command system Windows is noted for. He added that the new version may be easier to learn because most people already have some experience with Windows-based applications.
Since last April, the Bank of Fall River, Mass., has been a test site for First National Systems' Windows version. "It streamlines the flow of accounting information," said Charles O'Brien, the bank's chief financial officer.
"It allowed us to maintain current overhead levels. Instead of adding staff, we are able to get more productivity out of our employees," Mr. O'Brien said.
First National Systems will also continue to support other versions of its software, including DOS, because "the customers, in some cases, invested in computer technology that may not have the capacity to run Windows," Mr. Weill said.
