With regards to NCR’s APTRA development Wincor Nixdorf is ahead of competition. NCR have made a number of defense remarks regarding ‘ProTopas’ which were intended to show that APTRA might be better than ProTopas. The Wincor Nixdorf early success with many international customers have proved that Wincor Nixdorf has the only truly open system with an ongoing development program.
5.1 The Wincor Nixdorf multivendor advantage
The international Self Service Platform against NCR is ProClassic. This component based architecture has developed over time from a monolithic, then client/server approach to an object web scenario.
With the ProTopas solution Wincor Nixdorf offers more than 5 years experience in multivendor software. In many projects ProClassic is used and has been deployed by top international banks.
ProClassic is proven in live installations and runs as plug and play solution within all the standard host protocols such as NDC, (as well Diebold 9xx , PBM). Its benefit lies in the fact that it is a 100%
developed on NT and is not ported from OS/2 or other platforms.
Banks generally require a flexible, reliable and efficient solution to run their ATMs. In the past the banks have lacked an open and modern software architecture to allow for a 100% multi vendor approach. They have felt locked in by NCR and are in the process of leaving this mouse trap .
ProTopas is using the flexible, scripted Host connector architecture to bind web-technology and classical connectivity (SNA, X.25, ..). ProTopas handles the TWIN connection (Host system to Application server) in parallel and synchronous.
Obviously the financial institutions look to reduce the total cost of ownership. Next to hardware issues mostly the idea of only one single application for all Self Service Systems is born. In these days flexibility to introduce new functions quickly and cost effective is required. With the ProTopas software the implementation of changes can be realized at once and a roll out to any open self service system can offer independence from NCR as a single hardware vendor.
The same thought applies to standard solution for installation and updates. Wincor Nixdorf offers the better solution for monitoring. We do have a very successful solution with a large installed base and a proven track record of being constantly ahead of technology trends (ie. Full Web-Connectivity, PC/E…).
5.1.1 Sample of success with software as driving factor
In Rabobank the ProTopas standard solution focused on the network integration of 2.800 NCR ATMs based on ProTopas and WOSA/XFS.
Here as well the bank wished a supplier independence across the whole self service network.
5.2 Differentiators Wincor Nixdorf vs. NCR
Taking a closer look at NCR in the above graphic compares the environments.
5.3 Benefits of using Wincor Nixdorf
The Wincor Nixdorf approach is to operate ATMs of different vendors (i.e. NCR) with standard features such as PinPAD, card reader etc. by applying vendor specific device drivers. Beyond this, additional functionalities are offered. NCR is not capable doing this.
Wincor Nixdorf has proven over the past their ability to predict and influence the future aspect of self service regarding software as well. This will continue with our steady growth.
NCR can not show their customers real successful cases such as Wincor Nixdorf with Rabo Bank and others where ProTopas is running across NCR and Olivetti platforms. We have more ProTopas multi vendor installations than NCR with APTRA. What you need to know is that in a marketing ploy NCR renamed old systems as APTRA to give the impression of progress.
5.4 What is NCR’s APTRA?
NCR’s APTRA solution is based on Microsoft’s NT, Active X, COM technologies. It is also based on the ActiveXFS standard, which has been adopted by CEN as the COM interface for WOSA/XFS.
ActiveXFS was a joint venture between NCR, Microsoft and Nexus to develop a new Multi-Vendor standard based on the Microsoft COM Architecture. ActiveXFS Objects form the basis of NCR’s APTRA Solution.
NCR try to say that these features are industry standards but we all know that they are manufacturer based and are not as open as WOSA XFS or Java XFS which Wincor Nixdorf have adopted.
5.5 APTRA™ Advance NDC
‘Direct connect’ ATM applications (e.g. NDC, Diebold 910 and 911/912 or PBM) are based on old direct connect software architectures and design philosophies dating back to 1979. In the late 70s, these systems were designed as state of the art for unintelligent systems (PC-based systems did not appear until the end of the 80s). Control in these architectures is assumed by the host or switch. If one of the two cannot be reached, the entire ATM network comes to a standstill. Moreover, all changes that are made to the ATM software must be downloaded to all the individual direct connect terminals via the network.
As NDC is NCR’s proprietary interface they do not automatically make every new version of this specification available to its competitors. They usually obtain the specification in return for a fee or via unofficial channels through ‘friendly’ banks, who rarely possess the latest version.
Comparing to Wincor Nixdorf, we can say that the outdated NDC architecture and the proprietary, non standardized protocol for current network architectures and the possibilities these offer, involve too many restrictions.
APTRA™ Advance NDC does not represent a generation change but is ‘merely’ a new version of the old NDC software application that can still be found running on OS/2 systems today.
APTRA™ Advance NDC is Windows-based (Windows NT or XP) and also supports Web browsers.
However, the product is not XFS-based and thus not multi vendor capable, but the software does support the old fashioned NDC “states and screens”.
As is the case with any direct connect software, changes have to be made to the host and APTRA ATM software if customers want to implement new functions. The “states and screens” technology was designed specifically for self-service systems in direct connect environments, and therefore limits software reusability in other channels or control of ATMs with the same software that is used for other Web-based channels.
5.6 Comparision ProCash/NDC and APTRA™ Advance NDC
NCR lists several arguments in favor of using APTRA™ Advance, which also apply to Wincor Nixdorf’s ProCash/NDC; in addition to this, our product is also XFS-based and multi vendor-capable.
NCR’s arguments showing the benefits of using APTRA™ Advance (quoting NCR) are:
Protection of investments made in the NDC host by migrating the ATM channel to Windows
Update the existing self-service environment (hardware and software) to open development environment (Windows) with support for new devices
Enhanced support for the ATM channel in areas such as deposit automation, marketing, advertising, security standards and legal requirements.
Wincor Nixdorf ProCash/NDC NCR APTRA™ Advance NDC EMV and RKL are supported via extended
Wincor Nixdorf specifications as agreed with the switch providers, preparation of Wincor Nixdorf’s own specification..
EMV and RKL support happens via extended NDC specs.This is a proprietary extension, since NCR does not publish the interface and, in particular, does not make it available to competitors.
The functions of APTRA™ Promote are standard delivery in ProCash/NDC.
APTRA™ Promote is an add-on product and is only standardly supported as of AANDC 2.04.
To date, ProCash/NDC (NT) is deployed in more than 12,000 installations in over 50 countries.
AptraTM Advance NDC is only used by 50 customers in 27 countries.
Wincor Nixdorf ProCash/NDC offers full integration with NT standard software and integrated ADRS (Automatic Device Repair System).
The ProView or SST agent (incl. SNMP) enables integration in all monitoring/
management systems
(TIVOLI, CA Unicenter, BMC Patrol, etc.).
NCR offers an integration with industry standard software and health management products.
It is compatible with the GASPER product line.
Wincor Nixdorf provides the market with an NDC emulation. Emulation providers are normally at a disadvantage until they become
‘official’ owners of the proprietary specifications.
NCR owns the NDC specs – NCR does control the further development of NDC so that it keeps ahead of its competitors.
Wincor Nixdorf ProCash/NDC supports CEN-XFS defined status messages and original NDC status messages.
NCR supports original NDC status messages but no XFS support.
Wincor Nixdorf ProCash/NDC can be used with a minimum of 64 MB RAM. We do recommended at least 128 MB when using the HTML interface.
NCR mentions a minimum memory requirement of 64MB.
The Wincor Nixdorf support for new devices is implemented fast under XFS and then
submitted to CEN for standardization.
Any changes that CEN proposes are automatically included in later versions.
NCR offers a proprietary implementation in support for new self-service devices, but no support for the CEN-XFS specifications.
Wincor Nixdorf uses either conventional or Web-based interfaces (included in
ProTopas/NDC). The use of HTML pages that are not stored offline in the system are
supported from the add-on product ProTopas/Web-Extensions.
NCR gives only standard support for Active-X and Internet.
Wincor Nixdorf ProCash/NDC NCR APTRA™ Advance NDC Numerous standard communications cards
are supported (Eicon C91, Ethernet cards, Token Ring, V.24).
Only PCCM support (special communication card from NCR).
Wincor Nixdorf supports more transactions, e.g. credit transfer, PIN change, etc. Others are available on request.
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5.7 EMV support
EMV is a standard, defined by Europay, MasterCard and VISA. It aims to prevent credit card misuse and abuse resulting from the use of magnetic stripe cards.
EMV is defined for smart card based credit and debit transactions and also supports future multi-application smart cards. The migration from magnetic stripe to chip requires EMV cards, EMV terminals (ATM & POS), network and host alignment to support EMV transactions.
On January 1, 2005, liability is due to shift from the issuer to the acquirer. At national level, the dates for the shift vary. This naturally speeds up the demand for EMV systems.
In November 2002, Wincor Nixdorf released its add-on product ProChip/EMVDebit/Credit (WIN NT) V1.0. This EMV kernel has already been granted level 2 approval. Adjustments to ProCash/NDC have already been made, as have agreements with key switch providers.
At the end of 2002, NCR also introduced EMV extensions for APTRA™ Advance NDC 2.04. They do not have any advantages compared to Wincor Nixdorf although saying so.
5.8 APTRA™ Promote support
The creation and administration of marketing and advertising campaigns is supported in NCR self-service networks in conjunction with APTRA™ Advance NDC 2.04.
It enables the following objects to be managed and adjusted:
PCX, JPEG and bitmap images with a resolution of 640 x 480 or 800 x 600, 16 million colors
Audio files in standard Windows NT format (.wav)
Animation files in MPEG type II format
It is also possible to set various trigger points for advertising.
The functions of APTRA™ Promote are already a standard delivery with Wincor Nixdorf’s ProCash/NDC as of version V1.2.
Only with APTRA™ Advance NDC version 2.04 NCR does support the functions of the add-on product APTRA™ Promote 2.0.
5.9 Installed base
NCR has a relatively small installed base with APTRA™ Advance NDC at small and medium-sized banks. These include:
Bank of Ireland
Royal Bank of Scotland
Nationwide
Universal Savings Bank
Commercial International Bank
National Bank of Oman
Emirates Bank International
The ProCash/NDC installed base is much larger and the list of customers includes the following banks:
APTRAXpress is NCR's software and service partner program. A Business Manager and a technical Consultant give the switch partners access to the latest information on NCR's software strategies, roadmaps, training courses and hardware.
The switch partners rely on NCR’s hardware and software support in order to test their solutions prior to customer deployment.
The Wincor Nixdorf equivalent is ProClassic PARTNERplus, a successful partner program that has met with widespread acclaim.
5.11 Vendor independence
Wincor Nixdorf has over the last years gained a fine reputation of being a leading provider of vendor-independent software. Wincor Nixdorf was the first to have developed an open application solution for self-service systems. The first product of its kind in the form of WOSA/XFS and OS/2-based ATM software was installed on schedule for Deutsche Bank on April 28, 1995.
In February 1995, a CSC cash dispenser with WOSA/XFS on WINDOWS NT had been delivered to the National Westminster Bank in London. On the basis of this standard, Nat West was developing its own application for automated teller machines.
This step enabled SNI to provide the first ATMs worldwide with vendor-independent standard platform components for certification in customer environments.
It was only much later that NCR announced support for XFS and vendor independence for self-service systems.
Migration to XFS and the Windows operating system can be completed in one step on automated teller machines, since the operating system change makes it necessary to replace the entire terminal software.
NCR states the following reasons for planning the two different steps (first APTRA Advance NDC, then possibly APTRA Edge): building block principle, less risk; spread investments over a longer period;
one successful step justifies the next.
The original NDC status messages are detailed and more exact than the messages from the CEN-XFS interface (faster, easier to eliminate errors; higher ATM availability) whereas the messages of the CEN-XFS interface guarantee vendor independence; in contrast to APTRA™ Advance, ProCash/NDC therefore offers both options as standard.
According to NCR, other vendors with NDC emulations already offer vendor independence via the host. However, true vendor independence can only be achieved on the basis of XFS.
Since APTRA™ Advance NDC is not based on XFS, NCR has difficulty finding the right arguments at this point.
5.12 What is APTRA™ Edge
NCR’s APTRA™ Edge supports the following transactions:
Cash dispensing
Account balance
Credit transfer
Envelope deposit
SOP
Receipt and paper journal
Encrypting PIN Pad
Aggregate Builder for easy installation
CEN-XFS 2.0
Further development (planned):
Fast cash
Complete and mini statement printing
PIN change
APTRA™ Promote
Consumer flow with full transaction support
Passbook support
Support for Dual Dispense, iMCRW and DipSmart.
Electronic journal (in APTRA™ ActiveXFS)
Spray dispenser
Planned for later versions (according NCR) are:
CEN-XFS 3.0 functionality
Remote Status Authorization (encryption key loading)
Coin dispensing
Barcode reading
Card dispensing – small media output
Cash recycling
5.13 The differences between APTRA™ Advance NDC and APTRA™ Edge
There are some basic differences as briefly listed:
APTRA™ Edge claims:
to be based on open industry standards.
Should allow vendor independence through CEN-XFS.
Reusability of investments (Web technology, tools, know-how, …) in other channels.
Cross-channel development and transaction sharing.
Modern, object-oriented design – intuitive programming environment, i.e. significantly faster application development.
APTRA™ Advance NDC is:
Host-driven
Based on “states and screens”
Windows® based version of NDC (NDC+, US NDC)
5.14 Comparison ProCash/NDC (and ProTopas/Manager) and APTRA™ Edge
Arguments showing the benefits of using APTRA™ Edge (statements from NCR)
New services and devices can be added easily and at speed (‘no disruption’ architecture)
An additional ATM channel is created to support new security standards and changing legal requirements.
Multichannel usage, reusability of software and know-how in other channels, cross-channel development, transaction sharing.
A single application used in all ATM channels, even when ATMs come from different vendors.
The ATM channel as the central component of the customer relationship management (CRM) strategy. APTRA™ Edge enables the integration of data warehouse and self-service
technology.
Standards such as IFX, CEN-XFS, ACTIVE XFS, SNMP, EMV, NDC, 911, 912 are supported.
Apart from a few marketing slogans, NCR only makes slight reference to the fact that APTRA™
Advance NDC and APTRA™ Edge are completely different products. It places major emphasis on the evolution strategy, compared with what they say is a more risky complete realignment.