Introduction to ATM Framework

ATM Framework provides a structure to define ISO message fields, provides information for mapping the ISO message fields to Temenos Transact, defines the way the ATM transactions updates Temenos Transact, the ISO response code to be sent  back to the switch, etc. The structure of the ISO message to be sent from the switch and the way ATM transactions updates are done in Temenos Transact can be customised using the framework.

The ATM interface has been widely used across all Temenos Transact installations. ATM framework provides required applications to customise the ISO message according to the requirement of the ATM switch used by the bank.

The ATM interface is developed as a middle layer between the ATM switch and Temenos Transact.  The interface consists of a plug-in for the application server to receive the messages via a dedicated port and translate the ISO messages. The application server sends the ISO message to Temenos Transact, where the ISO message is converted to OFS message format based on the mapping files specified in the interface. After the transaction has been completed in Temenos Transact, the response ISO messages are formatted within the scope of the ATM interface. The response messages are indicated with the appropriate error or ok status depending upon the Temenos Transact applications reply status requested in the framework.

The protocol used for communication between the host and the switch is usually TCP or IP via sockets. ATM interface provides a high performance multi-threaded synchronous socket listener that has custom functionality or intelligence built-in for handling ISO messages with length prefix through TCP or IP.

The application server can be configured for listening ISO messages on any number of ports as required by the load on the site. However, a judicious choice should be made considering the load so that not to leave too many ports listening idly. The switch should try to throw open multiple sockets or connections on the same port(s) when the load increases.

ATM framework supports all standard ATM transactions like cash withdrawal, point of sale, balance enquiry, mini statement, statement request, account transfer, cash deposit and cheque book request.

The ATM interface supports ISO 8583:87 and ISO 8583:93 versions only. Support to different versions will require modification to the ISO message parser routines. The application servers supported by the ATM interface are TC Server, Jboss, Websphere and Weblogic.

In addition to the core ATM framework, the latest release supports the ATMFRM for an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) implementation as well. Currently, its implemented through IBM Integration Bus V9. This implementation is currently configured to communicate over the MQ queues. It can be configured to TCP or IP port as well.

• A parameter application to capture the ATM message type to be processed, the type of log to be updated, the location where the log is to be updated, the versions that are to be used to raise ISO request from Temenos Transact, the default terminal Id’s to use for identifying the account for posting transactions, etc.
• A parameter application to capture the ISO response message for success and failure transactions and for failed transactions, the code to be used for each type of error faced.
• A parameter application to capture the charge conditions.
• Additional parameter application to capture extra charges to be posted.
• A parameter application to capture the skeleton of the ISO message to be used.
• A parameter application to capture the ISO message field and its mapping to Temenos Transact fields for each type of ATM transaction and the acquirer of the ATM or POS machine.
• An application to capture the ATM transaction details for information purposes and retrieval during the reversal request.
• Several mapping routines for converting the data in the ISO message to Temenos Transact recognisable value or for mapping it with the required Temenos Transact application.
• Routines for parsing the ISO message and generating the required Temenos Transact transaction and forming the response message in return to the switch, depending on the success or failure of the ATM Transaction and the required response codes mapped in the system
• Routines to generate charges as part of the ATM transaction being processed or raise them as a separate transaction.
• Utility routine to parse the ISO request and response message from Temenos Transact for enquiry purposes.
• Java components for listeners.
• A new application (ATM.ISO.MESSAGE) has been created to store and process the ATM ISO request and response messages from and to the ATM switch. This application will act as a gateway for the ATM message flow from or to the ATM switch.
• Parsing and routing logic have been handled as part of the middleware ESB (right now planning for the solution with IBM Integration Bus along with Temenos Transact IIB Outbound Adapter).
• MQ’s for listeners, there is an option to have TCPIP for the listener.

• ATM framework is a Gpack offering and is used in many Temenos Transact installations. Adding the functionality as part of the core will enable the delivery through builds and the source code maintenance will be simple.
• Any enhancements to the development will be available for other clients during their upgrade or new installation.
• ATMFRM can be implemented through ESB (currently ISO8583 Compatibilities only) and IBM Integration Bus compatible package will be available for clients during their upgrade or new installation. Easy in implementing the similar approach with other ESB’s Oracle service Bus or BizTalk.

Fast Funds Requests - Debit Cards

Debit cards are part of a payment system issued by financial institutions, such as a bank, to a customer that enables them to access the funds in the customer's bank accounts through ATM, POS and so on. Visa cards are payment cards that use the Visa network, they can be debit, credit, prepaid or gift cards.

With Visa Fast Funds service, the transactions are processed in real-time and funds can be available within 30 minutes of approval, with real-time payment confirmation. This service allows the merchant to generate an authorisation request to credit the card and send it via Visa to the bank. The bank can approve or reject the request subject to the transaction amount limit and posting restrictions on the account.

This functionality enables the bank to handle the Fast Funds authorisation requests received from the merchant using the Visa Fast Fund service and the transactions for debit cards.

The following items have been introduced as part of this functionality:

• The Ff Amount Limit and Ff Suspense Account fields have been added to the ATM.PARAMETER application to define the fast funds' amount limit and suspense account to be debited.
• New configuration records are released to map the authorisation request and response and to define the processing code needed for the fast funds' transactions.