Solutions

Check Processing

Check processing in volume is usually performed on a computer controlled eletro-mechanical transport that reads data from the checks and other items and encodes this onto the check for further reading, processing and storage later.

Processing can take several forms, the two most common being “conventional” processing where documents are encoded, balanced and sorted for onward processing. A more flexible solution is image based processing where the document is first imaged and all subsequent processing is carried out on the image of the document rather than the physical document. This improves flexibility of processing and removes the need to physically move large numbers of documents. It also allows the development of added-value customer services and products through the delivery of statements and check images to customers via a number of electronic media.

The Aperta Active Payments System (APS) comprises a suite of application components that are fully integrated, Windows®-based and bring the advantages of imaging technology to organizations that process checks. With the adoption of imaging technology, workflows can be streamlined, operational efficiency can be improved, and customer service levels can be dramatically increased.

Imaging is the most current development in payment processing, possibly revolutionizing the industry as much as the development of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technologies. It is a process by which electronic images (digitized pictures) of documents are captured on a document transport and stored on electronic media. Images can be rapidly archived and subsequently retrieved for tasks such as data-entry, customer inquiry and research, sorting, transmission, fax, data extraction and exchange, and printing. They can also be used to generate statements for delivery via a range of media

Digitized images may also be accessed by automatic character recognition equipment reducing the labor-intensive entry of information by an operator. Image Character Recognition (ICR) can interpret hand-printed and machine printed alphanumeric characters such as courtesy amounts, legal amounts, dates, names, account numbers, and special symbols.

Images also provide the opportunity to significantly improve fraud prevention by integrating with automated signature verification packages.

Unlike microfilm or paper, once an image is stored it is accessible by multiple users in diverse locations simultaneously, changing sequential into concurrent tasks and eliminating bottlenecks in your operations. On-line inquiry, retrieval, dispatch and printing of archived images can be performed swiftly enough to provide an almost immediate response to most customer inquiries.

The main functions of ADPS are to encode and balance debit and credit transactions, to capture data for account posting, and to endorse and sort documents for subsequent distribution. ADPS can microfilm documents for archive and research or capture electronic images of documents and store them for research or use by one or more of the image-enhanced distribution applications such as Active-image Statements.

Documents can also be imaged post-processing for further sorting or distribution.

ADDITIONAL PROCESSING

Correction Facility
Misread or unreadable characters can be manually corrected. Imaged documents gives the most flexible capability to correct, as this can be done remotely from the track and at any time without compromising the functioning and performance of the track.

Balancing – Expert Balancer
Out of balance items in a batch are identified by Expert Balancer and “suggested” to the operator for amendment. This dramatically reduces the time taken to balance transactions and batches.

Reports
The Active Reports Module can produce a wide range of operational and management reports to allow accurate monitoring and management of day-to-day activity and provides information to assist with longer-term decision-making.

Anti-Fraud Measures – signature verification, check authenticity
When check images are being captured at the teller position (see Capture) there is the opportunity to determine the authenticity of the check signature with samples held on a database. See Security for more information

Data Export
Active Data Extraction (ADE) extracts selected item data from the database and reformats the data to your specifications. A file is created which can then be transferred by any Windows® NT qualified method. Data can be transmitted via modem, exported via LAN, or output to a variety of industry standard media such as removable disk, DAT tape, optical disk, and recordable CD/DVD.

ADDED VALUE FUNCTIONS

Statements – CD/DVD, e-mail, web, paper

Add value to your customer offering by delivering statements in a more cost-effective, user friendly way. See Active-image Statements for more details

Truncation – Branch Capture – Check 21 (USA)

Check 21 is being implemented in the USA to improve the efficiency of the payments system, to avoid disruption to the banking industry and to allow the truncation of checks and the substitution with images for onward processing.

The Check 21 legislation will promote the use of check truncation, lower costs and speed up the check clearing process.