ATMs Talk Local Language

Hyderabad-based VoiceGate Technologies India is developing a technology to
offer voice-based interactive services at ATMs. The proposed solution enables
ATMs to talk to the users and is also capable of working as a local
telephone-banking server on the ATM equipment.

Declining to give details of the bank for which the company is developing
this solution, sources at VoiceGate said that the bank, which has around 4,174
ATMs covering rural areas, plans to add 2,500 more ATMs soon. The company plans
to provide hardware and software compatible with ATMs for this expansion plan.

Sensing the dominance of regional languages, VoiceGate has also come up with
a solution that provides assistance in eight Indian languages for use in states
like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Giving details of the new solution
VoiceGate MD Syed Mohammed said, "By using the solution, ATMs can be made
to announce instructions by taking the input from the dial pad instead of the
regular keyboard, could serve efficiently for the visually-challenged
fraternity."

The solution also allows an ATM to work as a telephone-banking server where
users can make a call and carry on the transactions even without inserting the
respective ATM card. Cash-less transactions such as account balance, enquiry,
stop check request, change of telephone personal identification number (TPIN)
and request for statement of account by postal mail could be carried out
free-of-cost.

ATMs would also be connected to the local intercom network using a small PBX
installed at the ATM site. "Since the ATM is treated as one of the
telephone extensions of PBX, other simultaneous operations at the ATM counter
are not hindered," Mohammed said. Large complexes and multi national
companies provide intercom facility that can be used by the residents and
employees to connect to the nearby ATM, he added.

With further coordination between the ATM manufacturers, VoiceGate and the
bank authorities, a feature for paying utility bills through the ATMs'
telephonic connectivity could be added.

CyberMedia News