New generation of safe & secure ATMs launched in Middle East

Launched worldwide early this year, the Opteva™ family will be officially introduced in the Middle East during GITEX 2003, the region's premier technology exhibition to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 19th - 23rd, 2003 (Hall 5, Stand K5-1).

'The Opteva™ family can deliver some real financial benefits to customers,' explained Hassan Hares, Director, Business Development for Diebold Middle East. 'They are easy to install, easy to own and easy to upgrade. Consequently, customers will benefit greatly from reduced cost of ownership.'

In response to the changing needs of financial institutions and consumers, Opteva™ provides a complete range of exclusive benefits to the global financial industry. The Opteva™ family includes a through-the-wall, a drive-up, and a lobby ATM with advanced functionalities, and a through-the-wall and lobby cash dispenser ATM.

The units will operate on Diebold's Agilis™ software platform, an open system that allows multiple vendors' terminals and their respective technologies to co-exist. The software brings new levels of speed, flexibility and performance throughout the entire self-service delivery channel.

Diebold conducted extensive primary research in 18 countries around the world to guide the company in developing this family of next generation solutions. In response to customer requests, Diebold has implemented various ATM security enhancements - features that not only make the user's experience more pleasant, but also more secure. They include: consumer awareness mirrors, various lighting options, a recessed keypad and display area that reduces the opportunity for PIN surfing, and privacy display filters to prevent shoulder surfing.

To help protect the assets of financial institutions, the Opteva™ family features advanced security and fraud prevention mechanisms offered only by Diebold, including a fraud-resistant dispenser and card reader as well as a Triple DES-compliant encrypted PIN-pad. DES or Data Encryption Standard uses a single secret key to encrypt the PIN at the ATM and the same key to decrypt the PIN after it is received by the processor, to verify the cardholder's identity.

Financial institutions can also benefit from Opteva's™ enhanced capabilities for marketing, cross selling and brand building. Sleek Opteva™ ATMs can be customized with a colourful fascia that reinforces a financial institution's brand image. Its powerful Intel® Pentium® 4 processor allows quick and accurate transactions. Installation and upgrades are made simply and cost-effectively because of the modular design of the ATMs.

'Opteva™ meets the needs of financial institutions and other ATM deployers by allowing a broader range of transactions to be completed through the self-service channel,' explained Hares. 'The increased functionality of the Opteva™ family not only helps increase ATM revenue opportunities, but also makes the ATM a viable alternative to building and staffing a new branch.'

Opteva™ has been designed to take full advantage of Diebold's superior remote diagnostic and service capabilities. Diebold has a long-standing reputation for some of the highest caliber services in the industry. Diebold Premier Services offers a comprehensive suite of traditional first and second-line maintenance, professional services, managed services and outsourcing to efficiently and cost effectively manage ATM networks.