NCR/uGenius Technology Deal Targets Growth of Video ATM Technology

With a focus on driving growth of its APTRA Interactive Teller solution, NCR Corp. (Duluth, Ga.) has purchased uGenius Technology, Inc. , a Utah-based developer of video banking software. The deal rounds out a relationship that goes back to 2011, when NCR and uGenius collaborated to build what the companies say was the first ATM that lets consumers talk and bank with a live, remote teller -- enabling banks to deliver a face-to-face banking experience for extended hours and offer more services to their customers, according to NCR. In January 2012, NCR acquired a minority stake in uGenius.

NCR's APTRA Interactive Teller solution lets consumers conduct remote, assisted-teller transactions over an ATM -- speaking with a live teller who has control of the machine. NCR said in a press release it anticipates that it will begin pilots for APTRA Interactive Teller with multiple top 10 U.S. banks in the first half of 2013.

The vendor also says it expects to be able to leverage other uGenius technologies such as SmartOffice and Online Video Banking to expand the delivery of video banking to multi-channel solutions across NCR Financial Services and other industry verticals.

[Learn how uGenius' video-based personal teller machines helped Five County Credit Union extend its reach while shrinking its footprint. ]

"Video banking -- or, as we prefer to call it, remote assisted service -- will continue to gain momentum in the U.S. and other countries in 2013. Remote assisted service is proving to help financial institutions grow revenues while at the same time reduce their operating and real estate costs," said Peter Leav, executive vice president, NCR Corp., in the press release. "By acquiring uGenius, we are delivering against our corporate strategy of innovating for our customers and reinventing NCR as a software-driven business, while allowing us to enhance existing technology platforms and create a new segment of remote assisted service."

APTRA Interactive Teller is part of NCR's assisted service suite of solutions, combining video collaboration and remote transaction-processing technology on an ATM. According to NCR, approximately 95% of all teller transactions can be performed via Interactive Teller in addition to the usual product sales and service that an in-branch teller provides.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio