What is the concourse™ Software Platform?

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Who developed CSP?

CSP was developed by Source Technologies' software development team, and features several patent-pending technologies.

Why did Source Technologies develop CSP?

Source Technologies and its clients needed a platform that integrated all necessary components for developing, deploying, and maintaining transactional kiosk applications.

What elements comprise CSP?

• Device Manager

  Typical kiosk deployments require development of custom interfaces to control the kiosk devices. The Device Manager module eliminates custom coding by providing plug-and-play device interfacing and control.

  The Device Manager includes four components:
  • SPIs (Service Provider Interfaces)provide hardware-level device control
  • XFS Manager provides an industry-standard device-management
  • Device Abstraction Layer makes application control of kiosk devices straightforward and easy to program
  • System Monitoring & Reporting ensures that kiosks and devices are functioning properly by sharing device information with any industry-standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management system. It gives the status in real-time on all concourse kiosk devices and components to a centralized database as a standard “MIB” (Management Information Base).
  
  
• Application Manager


The Application Manager provides real-time control of kiosk applications, kiosk devices, host business systems, and external data. The Application Manager module is the first and only system that dynamically reconfigures transaction workflow "on the fly". It orchestrates the actions of users, applications, and devices in a threaded, real-time manner that lets the self-service customer control the order, pace, and outcome of their experience.

In addition to running both custom and standard applications (such as concourse BillPay and concourse Teller), it provides APIs (Application Provider Interfaces) for building external services that integrate with other business systems, and can manage other devices in the retail environment.

The Application Manager includes two components:
• Agent Monitor
  The Agent Monitor component allows a sales agent or other staff to monitor and assist the customer during a kiosk transaction. Running on a PC monitoring station, the Agent Monitor presents a split-screen view of the customer transaction along with CRM information, cross-sell/up-sell recommendations, and other pertinent data. The agent can offer assistance and "take over" and complete a transaction if needed.
  
  
• External Services
  The External Services component allows developers to "package" interfaces to external data sources and back-end systems. Developers can also use External Services to integrate their self-service applications with external hardware devices as part of a total retail or branch automation solution.



• Workflow Studio


CSP's Workflow Studio is an off-the-shelf application development system that allows for rapid prototyping of workflow on the kiosk, making it easy to build, deploy, and redeploy kiosk applications.

It allows subject matter experts to visually diagram a dynamic workflow for a single transaction, or an entire application, using drag-and-drop tools. It then automatically generates .NET, HTML, or Flash applications that run on concourse kiosks. Workflow Studio also includes an application template library to speed development of kiosk applications. Workflow Studio makes application development, deployment, and maintenance fast and flexible.

What are the customer's advantages for using CSP?

• It provides a visual development environment that supports rapid application prototyping, testing, and deployment.
• CSP flexibly supports frequent changes to application workflow and the user interface.
• CSP conforms to industry hardware and software standards, and provides plug-and-play support of new kiosk technology and devices.
• By controlling both hardware and software technology roadmaps for its solutions, Source Technologies can ensure customers five years of forward and backward compatibility.
• CSP's flexible architecture allows easy integration with other systems including teller, POS, authentication, merchandising, CRM, and cash settlement.
• It can manage all store devices as part of a total retail automation solution, including check imagers, cash recyclers, card dispensers, cash registers, and statement printers.

How does CSP differ from other offerings on the market?

• Source Technologies offers a vertically integrated self-service solution, which includes both hardware and software components.
• CSP's visual workflow development environment and auto-code generation allows creation of fully functional kiosk applications without traditional programming or custom development.
• CSP supports a truly "assisted" self-service environment that allows customers and staff to interact on a higher level, providing better service to customers and more selling opportunities to deployers.

Are any parts of CSP patentable?

Yes, there are several patents currently pending.

Can customers purchase components separately?

Yes, the Device Manager may be purchased and deployed as a kiosk operating system, managing device control for kiosk applications written using other tools. Application Manager may also be purchased separately, but requires Device Manager for its operation.

Can customers use CSP to write their own applications?

Yes, customers can use CSP for application development without any development or integration support from Source Technologies.

How is CSP being used so far?

Source Technologies has several clients in both rollout and pilot phases that have chosen to use one of four off-the-shelf software solutions (e.g. concourse Teller, concourse BillPay) that were developed using CSP. Several customers have also implemented Device Manager as their kiosk operating system.

What improvements are in development for CSP?

• Certification of additional devices for plug-and-play operation with CSP Device Manager, including Biometric Fingerprint ID Scanner, Integrated Low-Light ID Camera, MICR/OCR Check Imager/Retainer.
• Retail hardening of CSP Application Manager, including bidirectional monitoring and recovery, active healing, etc.
• Continued development of packaged External Services for leading software systems, such as Argo's Teller Platform and ACI's Base-24 Authentication System.

CSP Glossary of Terms

API - Application Provider Interface
IFX - Interactive Financial Exchange
MIB - Management Information Base
SNMP - Simple Network Monitoring Protocol
SPI - Service Provider Interface
XFS - eXtensions for Financial Standards