Integrating point of sale and backroom information management functions, Verifone Inc. has announced a software application that links DOS-based personal computers with the company's transaction automation systems. Running on the PC, the new product, PNCPlus, handles credit and debit card processing.
Integrating the Verifone transaction system with the PC eliminates the need to enter payment transaction data more than once, thus reducing errors and speeding transactions. The software can also maintain a complete log of payment transactions.
Prices for the software range from $129 to $169, depending on the volume purchased.
Verifone Inc. is based in Redwood City, Calif
Omega Program
Offers Sales Tips
Omega Performance, a consulting firm based in San Francisco, offers a new program for branch platform staff, called Making Investment Referrals. The program is intended to help stem the outflow of deposits.
The program teaches platform personnel how to link customers with the bank's own investment experts and products. Materials include investment kits containing actual stock, bond, and annuity contract examples; sets of bank-specific mastery cards; a desktop job aid; and a video-tape showing investment scenarios between branch staff and customers. The program costs $475 per participant.
The program was developed in conjunction with First Chicago Corp. Signet Bank and Society Bank are currently using the program.
Interbold Offers
ATM Video Add-On
Interbold has introduced two-way video conferencing, between an automated teller machine user and a customer service representative, on an Interbold i series self-service terminal. The system is activated when a customer pushes a button on the terminal.
Though the technology is available, the company has no immediate plans to release the enhancement until market demand for video conferencing increases.
Interbold, based in North Canton, Ohio, is a joint venture between Diebold Inc. and International Business Machines Corp.
ISC-Bunker Ramo
Sells Ultralight PC
ISC-Bunker Ramo released a new portable personal computer. Billed as the Ultraportable PC, the Olivetti Quaderno comes with a 20-megabyte hard drive, an 16-MHz processor, eight-hour battery pack, MS-DOS operating system, voice capability, and integrated accessory software. Built-in software includes word processor, calculator, schedule and phone book, file manager, organizer, and voice manager. The voice processing system provides dictation storage, voice annotation, input, and output.
The 2.2-pound computer measures 8.3 inches by 5.8 inches by 1.3 inches. The computer, floppy drive, carrying case, and printer cables sell for $874.
ISC-bunker Ramo, an Olivetti company, supplies automation equipment and services. Its U.S. headquarters are in Spokane, Wash.
Computerm Eases
Remote Imaging
Computerm Corp. introduced a system that connects mainframe computers to remote IBM high-performance transaction system image devices.
Called the Remote Image Solution, it is designed to support the IBM 3897 image capture system for check processing and the IBM 3800 series image statement printers.
The band width for transmitting image applications over data links can be costly. This system is designed to compress data and keep communication costs to a minimum.
The company's initial testing has demonstrated that a locally attached IBM 3800 printer generated image statements at 100 pages per minute, with some pages containing as much as 120K bytes of data. Without using the compression system, the machine printed 50 to 60 pages per minute.
Users can attach the system to networks over copper wire, fiber-optic cable, microwave systems, or satellite links. The system is completely compatible with all operating systems and applications software and requires no alterations or modifications to existing software.
The system is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 1994. Pricing will start at $195,000.
Computerm is based in Pittsburgh.
