Before WSCS began the evaluation process, they suspected they may have some unique operating characteristics. While all Banks operated remotely from a single CBS Fiserv core application and mainframe (AS/400) located at the data center, each bank also operated and maintained their own in house item processing system.

One goal with imaging was for each bank to continue to provide their own item processing tasks, but to standardize on a common image solution for all banks. The question this raised was whether each bank would have to purchase and maintain a separate imaging system (with multiple databases), or could one single system (with one database) accommodate all of the banks?

After researching several systems in the marketplace, WSCS discovered something revolutionary a brand new approach to imaging.

With unique multi bank requirements, multiple locations, and a desire to implement the latest in imaging technology like Power Encode, CAR/LAR Recognition, CD Rom Delivery, and DVD archive, WSCS began evaluating various vendors and their capabilities.

What they discovered was that most vendors were touting client server based technology, requiring separate databases at the data center and every remote capture and encoding location. With six locations, this translated into 6 separate databases to license, implement, maintain, back up, and update daily. To further complicate matters, some vendors even required multiple databases per location, with a daily manual upload between separate image POD systems and image archive systems. These solutions represented an operational challenge, as maintaining and operating these systems would be very difficult.

• A single, consolidated database solution (similar to CBS Fiserv) for all Banks
• A single, consolidated image processing application similar to CBS (Fiserv) for all Banks
• Extensive host integration with the ability to initiate uploads and downloads remotely on a Bank-by- Bank basis
• A single solution with consolidated image system management capabilities including DVD archive,
• back-up, recovery, statement rendering, and system administration capabilities
• A single, consolidated location for all internet banking integration
• The ability for all Banks in all locations to utilize a single and consolidated CAR/LAR system
• The ability to perform any task for any member Bank centrally or remotely with the proper security

• The ability to perform remote capture, remote item keying, remote encoding, and remote cash letter generation in conjunction with a centralized database, application and CAR/LAR solution
• The ability to perform any functional task for any other WSCS member Bank with the proper security from any location
• The ability to research check images, deposit images, statement images, and other imaged documents in real-time to enable CSR's and tellers to service customers in branches
• The ability to perform any system function, at any time, via an Internet Browser
• The ability to offload the daily system back-up and other end of day procedures to the data center

WSCS began and completed the conversion process from traditional item processing to imaging in the spring and summer of 2001. The installation process encompassed 5 Banks and a total of 6 different locations.

Phase I of the implementation involved setting up the computing equipment at the main data center location, which included the Oracle database server, the ImageCentre application server, the CAR/LAR workstations, the DVD jukebox, and the statement printers. This phase also included establishing the telecommunications system between the data center and each of the 5 remote bank locations. Phase 2 of the implementation involved installing the hardware at each remote location and taking each Bank live.

With the installation complete and the system operational, WSCS and itsmember Banks are now able to realize the benefits that check imaging provides.

"The training time required to operate ImageCentre was minimal, and we were pleasantly surprised at how quickly our staff was able to fully utilize the software," says Linda Pitsch, Senior Vice President of ChoiceOne Bank. ""The design of the system makes it so easy for users to understand, and our people's familiarity with Internet Browser software made it that much easier."

"Our associates have embraced ImageCentre from the beginning," continues Linda. "One of our CSR's, a 25-year associate of the Bank who began her career in operations, likes to tell people that her life began on August 10, 2001, the date we went live with ImageCentre. That's how strongly our people feel about ImageCentre."

The single greatest benefit from the implementation has been the ability to service customers immediately. If a customer comes into a branch, a CSR can instantaneously provide copies of check images, deposit images, transaction images, image statements, and other account information - even on items being processed that day.

"Our customers have responded to imaging very well and love the imagebased products. What they enjoy the most, however, is the improved level of service that we are now able to provide," says Linda.

Another benefit recognized with the implementation of ImageCentre check imaging has been the ability to quickly and easily research items which may be fraudulent.

ImageCentre provides the capability of accessing and researching images across the enterprise immediately after image capture, enabling the earliest possible detection of fraudulent or potential "kiting" of items. When compared with the Bank's previous methodology of waiting several days for returned microfilm, ImageCentre enhances the entire process.

ImageCentre check imaging provides WSCS and its' member Banks with a complete Browser-based solution including Image Research, Image Statements, Image POD, Power Encode, Image Archive, ScanAll Recognition, CD-Rom Delivery, and integration into both the CBS Fiserv core application and Internet Banking.

"I would never have imagined that the system would be this powerful and this easy to use," states Linda. "'You really have to see it to believe it. While many vendors offer limited single item research capability via an Internet Browser, at Choice0ne Bank and other WSCS member Banks we can perform any and every system capability from anywhere with complete functionality via a Browser and ImageCentre."

In total, WSCS has five image capture, encoding and keying locations each equipped with a 575 DPM image sorter, workstations for keying, printers for cash letters, and high speed point-to-point T-1 communications to the Scottville data center. Each location can also serve as a back-up to any of the other locations.

The sixth location, the Scottville data center, serves as the server hosting location with a single Oracle database server, a single ImageCentre application server, ScanAll Recognition workstations, CD-Rom production for corporate customer delivery, DVD long term archival, host integration with CBS Fiserv, and Internet Banking integration.