Intelligent Deposit (Glossary) .
The task of further improving and adapting our intelligent deposit technology to meet the demands of international markets remains one of our most important areas of focus. This includes, for example, the intelligent deposit of cash and checks and the automation of reverse vending systems in the retail (Glossary) industry. Our banking (Glossary) solution tests cash and checks for authenticity using precise, cutting-edge image processing technology. The solution enables the entire crediting/debiting process to be automated.
Cash Cycle Management.
Our long-term aim is to optimize the cash cycle across the full spectrum of cash points, including checkouts, teller safes and ATMs at banks and retail outlets. We develop our products and solutions with a view to integrating them into the highly complex cash cycle process. Individual process simulation modules, such as ATMs with a cash recycling function, software to optimize replenishment intervals at cash points and our automated cash handling systems for use by retailers, are already available. Our aim now is to complete and further develop this portfolio to ensure the efficient, local and demand-oriented circulation of cash in what is known as a closed cycle.
Net-centric Software.
Net-centric software (Glossary) helps our customers in the banking and retail industries further reduce their costs over the entire period of use (total cost of ownership) (Glossary) . This approach avoids the need to store the full software on the ATM or checkout system. Instead, the software is kept on a central server, helping cut costs associated with software distribution and maintenance. Software that has been developed in this way can – with additional functionality – also be used in other industries, such post offices and gas station operators.
Control and Monitoring of Customer Systems.
Another important area of innovation is the further development of services that involve Wincor Nixdorf taking control of the entire operation and management of complete information and communications infrastructures, spanning the full product life cycle. We refer to this as Managed Services (Glossary) . Our aim is to ensure that customers benefit from a high degree of reliability and a cost-efficient service. In order to optimize our own service processes, we work constantly to achieve a greater level of standardization and automation of these internal processes.
Security.
The issue of security is a top priority of our customers. We are working on the intelligent linking of innovative base technologies as a means of making further improvements to existing concepts covering the protection of IT networks against virus attack, the security of data communications and anti-manipulation protection for our systems.
To consolidate our position as a leading innovator, we have boosted spending on research and development by an average of around 10% in recent years. As a proportion of net sales, that means a consistent R&D ratio of 4.5%.
A total of 843 staff (as at September 30, 2007) are committed to implementing this strategy of innovation at our seven development centers in Germany as well as in Burgdorf (Switzerland), Singapore, Shanghai and Boston. Our core competences are in the field of mechatronics, the development of embedded software, platform and applications software and image recognition. We also generate valuable know-how from the fundamental research conducted by leading technology organizations with whom we have established targeted partnerships. All our research and development activities form part of the efforts being made across the entire Group to reduce production costs. In collaboration with our suppliers, we aim to create a transparent picture of their processes, allowing us to identify the best production option and so improve our competitive position.
