Unique Needs and Requirements

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.

Centralized Computing with Remote
Capture and Encode

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.

Centralized Capability Wish List

• 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

De-Centralized Capability Wish List

• 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

Multi-Site, Multi-Bank Conversion to Image

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.

On Your Mark - Get Set, Browse!

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."

Customer Acceptance

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.

The Image Centre Solution

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.

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.