EZswitch®

Online ATM/Debit Middleware System

Solution Overview

EZswitch® is a middle-ware system designed to connect a core banking system with an ATM/EFT network1 for on-line authorization processing of ATM and debit-issuer transactions. The solution is delivered as a virtual (VMware) server environment for on-premise setup and use. The core banking system is responsible for transaction authorization using the current balances, but whenever it is unavailable, EZswitch may “stand-in” to authorize the transaction using a combination of card limits and/or a positive balance file (PBF). The PBF may updated in EZswitch either by a real-time update when a cardholder performs a transaction, or as a full update for all cardholders which is delivered from the core system, once or multiple times a day.

The Core Banking Systems

CSFi partners with several core banking providers to provide a middle-ware solution.

These include:

  • Fiserv Precision
  • Jack Henry & Associates
  • Finastra

Fiserv Precision Core Overview

CSFi maintains a long-standing relationship with Fiserv Precision and has spent more than a decade developing and perfecting our interface with the popular core banking system.

Benefits:

  • ATM and Debit transactions are authorized using current balances and immediately reflected in other banking applications
  • Eliminate exposure to risk by authorizing transactions against current account balances
  • Take advantage of the flexibility to change ATM/EFT network providers seamlessly without interfering with the Precision authorization interface
  • Regular certification and support for the latest Precision core software releases
  • Single point of card maintenance entry reduces data disparity between systems by eliminating multiple data entry points, down to one
  • If the Precision system is unavailable, EZswitch can perform stand-in authorization, a substantial cost savings when compared to the ATM/EFT network standing in

Core-specific Features:

  • On-Line Card Maintenance (OLCM) interface. supports real-time card maintenance updates performed on Precision and sent to EZswitch.

Finastra Core Overview

CSFi maintains all the latest interface requirements for Finastra’s core solution and has spent years developing and perfecting our interface with this core banking system.

Benefits:

  • ATM and Debit transactions are authorized using current balances and immediately reflected in other banking applications
  • Eliminate exposure to risk by authorizing transactions against current account balances
  • Take advantage of the flexibility to change ATM/EFT network providers seamlessly without interfering with the Phoenix authorization interface
  • Our online interface is certified against new Phoenix core software releases
  • Single point of card maintenance entry reduces data disparity between systems by reducing the total number of entry points to one
  • If the Phoenix core authorizing system is unavailable, EZswitch can perform stand-in authorization. This function leads to a substantial cost savings when compared to allowing the ATM/EFT network to stand-in

JHA Core Overview

CSFi maintains all the latest interface requirements for several Jack Henry core solutions and has spent years developing and perfecting our interface with this core banking system.

Multiple Supported Core Systems

  • SilverLake
  • CIF 20/20
  • Core Director

Features and Options

EZswitch offers several features and options to choose from. The base system provides standard functions including on-line ATM/debit issuer authorizations, real-time on-line card maintenance (OLCM) updates, single point of card maintenance entry where a card maintenance batch file (CMBF) is transmitted to the ATM/EFT network, and stand-in authorization using a positive balance file (in addition to using card limits). Optional added features include system-wide alert notification, multi-institution support, multiple ATM/EFT network connections, and more.

System Integration Services

CSFi provides project coordination, system setup, training, and remote live conversion assistance. In addition to the system parameterization and setup, CSFi also assists customers with certifying with the ATM/EFT network, including transaction processing and sending the card maintenance batch file.

Enhanced Support

CSFi provides technical support services using the Comprehensive Action and Resolution Environment (CARE™) plan that includes access to CSFi’s technical support during normal business hours. In addition to the CARE™ plan, customers may subscribe to an After Hours Support plan (Bronze, Silver, or Gold).

EZswitch®  Base System

The base system provides a real-time interface for transactions sent from an ATM/EFT network to a host authorizing system for a single institution with a single authorization interface.

Includes:
  • Single online interface to a host authorizing system (Precision, Phoenix, and JHA) for ATM and debit issuer transactions
  • Single ATM/EFT network interface1
  • Single institution with five (5) system admin users
  • Stand-in authorization using a positive balance file (PBF) and/or card limits (the system will authorize using a PBF or card limits when the host authorizing system is unavailable)
  • Single point of card maintenance entry
    • Real-time online card maintenance (OLCM) interface (for Precision only)
    • Card maintenance batch file (CMBF) transmittal to the ATM/EFT network2
  • Reconciliation subsystem3 (requires raw data file sent from the network)
  • On-demand ATM/EFT network denial rules (a new CSFi client application
  • ATM inactivity status update
Components:
  • Installed on a virtual ESX server
  • Version 4 transaction processing engine (rules-based fraud detection and prevention ready) New!
  • Red Hat Linux embedded operating system
  • IBM Informix database software
  • SwitchView desktop workstation for system administration, management, monitoring and transaction research

Additional Options

Multiple institutions.
Support for multiple host authorizer connections and multiple institutions.
Multiple network connections.
Support for connecting to more than one ATM/EFT network.
Virtual implementation.
Implement EZswitch in a VMware ESX virtual machine to eliminate server hardware and streamline support for multiple applications running in the data center.
FraudBlock™ real-time fraud detection and prevention system.
Rules-based fraud detection and protection for all issuer-based transactions received from the ATM/EFT network, in real-time and prior to authorization. Read more…
Sentinel alert notification system.
Real-time email and SMS-text alerts for events such as the authorization link to the host authorizer being unavailable, or the connection to the network being disrupted. Read more…
RSS replication and backup.4
Using IBM Informix RSS replication, the EZswitch system can perform real-time data replication to an offsite backup/disaster recovery server.

Special Notes.

  1. View the full list of supported network/switch interfaces.
  2. The ATM/EFT network’s CMBF format must be supported.
  3. Requires a raw data file from your ATM/EFT network.
  4. Some solutions require an upgraded version of the database software.