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Active Image Archive
- AiA
An image-based archive/retrieval system
can be used to store item-extracted information, both data
and images, on magnetic disc, optical disc, CD/DVD or other
electronic media to allow easy access, retrieval or import/export
of data at a later stage. It can also provide the input
for image applications that can give added value to customers,
such as Active
Image Statement print, production of images on
CD/DVD or delivery by e-mail, and Web Statement inquiry.
The system has the flexibility to allow
information retrieval based on single or multiple field
values to find individual items quickly. Alternatively,
it allows single or multiple parameters to be searched,
allowing for a range of items to be located, for example
all checks above a certain value on a particular date.
The Active Image Archive and Retrieval
system provides benefits by:
- Reducing the labour involved in searching for required
items
- Improving customer service through speedier responses
to customer queries
- Reducing the number of disputed items
- Improving the image of the bank’s clients with
their customers and associates
- Creating opportunities for new revenue streams
Until recently, despite all it’s
drawbacks and limitations, microfilm was considered the
only cost effective way to store and archive item images.
However the advent of new image based document processing
platforms, and the fall in cost of the storage media, electronic
archive systems based on optical or magnetic disc storage
offer many advantages over microfilm such as:
- Easier and faster access to information
- Reduced potential for loss and misplacement
- Multiple simultaneous access
- Ease of transmission around the business
- Ease of communication of information to customers,
via e-mail, web based services or “hard copy”
on CD/DVD-ROM
Even in countries where there is still
a legal requirement to use microfilm there are still benefits
to be had from installing electronic image archive and retrieval.
It will improve customer service through faster dispute
and query resolution, delivering benefits that can give
a lead over the competition and allow the organisation to
be advantageously placed when legislative changes take place.
Microfilm can still be used to meet legal requirements and
as a back up where needed.
Data archived by Active Image Archive can
then be used in one of two ways – internally within
the organisation, or externally as an added-value service
to customers.
INTERNAL DATA REQUIREMENTS
VISUAL IMAGE EXPORT
The electronic images created with Active Image Archive
can be imported into other banking applications, reducing
the need for replication of data entry, and consequently
reducing the opportunity for error. As mentioned above images
can be accessed via multiple field values or parameters,
thereby retaining their flexibility and accessibility.
The optional Visual Image Export module
can be used in conjunction with either an image-enabled
systems to export item data and image information to external
systems. Commonly, Visual Image Export variants are used
for exporting information, typical examples being:
- To a third party image archive system.
- To a signature verification system
EXTERNAL DATA REQUIREMENTS
Active
Image Statements is an image-based application
that can be used, in conjunction with information from the
host accounting system, to produce image-enhanced customer
statements.
These image-enhanced statements can be
delivered via a number of media:
- CD/DVD
- Email or Web
- Paper
The major benefits provided by the Active
Image Statement system are:
- Elimination of Fine Sort Requirements
Within a non-image environment a significant number
of operator and machine hours are expended fine sorting
documents by account number to return checks to the
account holders along with the corresponding printed
statements. Active Image Statement can allow this fine
sorting process to be eliminated and the physical documents
truncated and stored without requiring sorting.
- Elimination of Manual Collating of Checks to Statements
Instead of returning checks to the account holder, the
Active Image Statement automatically collates items
for each account and delivers the image-enhanced statements
in a convenient form.
- Reduced Labour and Operating Costs
By carrying out Active Image Statement delivery rather
than fine sorting, banks can reduce their operational
costs. This cost reduction can be translated into reduced
labour and overhead, reduced numbers of reader sorters
and correspondingly reduced maintenance, giving considerable
competitive advantage.
- Improved Client Satisfaction
Experience has shown that most customers prefer image
statements to the return of physical documents. The
images are clear and easy to read, and can be varied
in size for different accounts, depending on their particular
desires. Images of checks are easier to store than the
checks themselves, making for easy storage, search and
retrieval.
VISUAL IMAGE CD/DVD
The system supports a wide range of jukebox and mechanical
changers that increase the on-line storage capacity and
result in fast response times. Visual Image CD/DVD is a
simplified archive capability that can be used as a replacement
for microfilm. Unlike Active Image Archive, which has a
consolidated database of item information allowing it to
search for items across many optical disks or CD/DVDs, Visual
Image CD/DVD provides a more focused search facility that
is applied for a given CD/DVD. This is more consistent with
the traditional microfilm it is intended to replace and
provides a lower-cost entry into the image archive environment.
Visual Image CD/DVD is most likely to suit
a large corporate environment where a “hard copy”
is required of large quantities of information.
VISUAL IMAGE WEB
Increasingly the Web is being used as a means of information
delivery, with advantages of cost, accessibility and immediacy.
Active Image Archive information is ideally suited for web
delivery. Images are sharp yet file sizes are small enough
to facilitate transmission over dial-up connections. Improved
customer service through rapid real-time dispute resolution
can easily be achieved when both parties are able to view
the same image being discussed.
ACTIVE
IMAGE STATEMENT
For paper statements, duplex printing is generally adopted
and the item images for each statement are usually printed
on the reverse side of the paper from the textual content
of the statement. If required, the application can interface
with automated mail sorting equipment, using OMR.
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