Diebold, Al Rajhi Bank ink deal for biometric Opteva ATMs, Agilis software

Diebold's (NYSE:DBD) biometric Opteva(R) ATMs will provide service to a select group of government customers in need of the new technology.

Al Rajhi Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, recently purchased 240 Opteva ATMs through Diebold's business partner in the Kingdom, Alhamrani Universal Company (AU). Diebold's Agilis(R) software will enable the integration of biometric technology in Opteva terminals purchased by the bank. Agilis terminal software interfaces with a variety of multivendor products to provide flexibility and help protect investments in legacy systems.

Working with AU's technical professional team, Diebold Professional Services will manage the implementation of 82 biometric terminals, providing overall development of the biometric software solution, and will create a customized user interface in the local language. The biometric units will be deployed at Social Security offices throughout Saudi Arabia. The machines will allow 400,000 retirees to use the unique geometry of the index finger in conjunction with a magnetic stripe card to access monthly retirement payments. The biometric technology will replace the use of personal identification numbers (PINs) for the authentication of identity.

'Diebold's biometric ATMs will allow us to expand our business by distributing government-mandated pension payments on a monthly basis,'

said Suliman Al Obaid, general manager of IT and Shared Services at Al Rajhi Bank. 'Our biometric program may be expanded to include the enrollment of other customers in rural areas who are unfamiliar with the use of PINs.'

The agreement also includes the replacement of legacy Diebold ATMs with new Opteva island ATMs equipped with Diebold's exclusive Extreme Environmental Kit, which incorporates an air conditioner within the ATM to provide reliability and superior operating performance. The kit extends the useful life of ATMs by allowing them to operate in regions with excessive hot and cold temperatures.

Diebold's Extreme Environmental Kit reduces operating costs by eliminating the need to enclose the ATM in an expensive, air-conditioned building or kiosk. The kit also includes a terminal safe and enclosure protected by more than double the insulating properties of previous models, better protecting the unit's devices against rapid and significant temperature fluctuations that could impact interior module reliability.

Additionally, 37 advanced-function Opteva terminals will replace Diebold's legacy i and ix-Series(R) terminals at Al Rajhi bank branches and off-site locations. The upgrades will provide future advanced functionality that may include bulk note acceptance, intelligent depository modules and other applications that enable revenue generation.

'The reliability and flexibility of our Opteva platform and biometric solution gives our customers a competitive edge by allowing them to meet the local needs of their customers,' said Henrik Funch, division vice president for Diebold Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). 'And our Extreme Environmental Kit helps protect our customers' investment in the latest self- service technology.'