WINCOR: Wincor Nixdorf offers outsourced debit, credit processing for retailers and FIs

PADERBORN, Germany — An ability to provide a more comprehensive package of services and solutions for retail and banking is somethingWincor Nixdorf AGexecutives are touting at this year'sWincor Worldtrade fair.

Wincor Nixdorf president and chief executive Eckard Heidloff has stressed the corporate vision of a continued transition from providing solely hardware to providing more inclusive solutions and services that offer financial institutions and retailers more.

On the retail side, that means service and IT infrastructure, and a chance, the company says, to make inroads in developing markets such as India and China. But Wincor Nixdorf also expects its holistic approach to help build its business in developed markets like the United States, where retail growth has been a challenge. Last year, Wincor Nixdorf's retail business dropped 2 percent, and it fell another 3 percent during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008/2009.

But Heidloff expressed confidence about retail growth over the next three quarters, saying, "We have strong innovative solutions for retail with cash management, but we have to communicate our offerings much better in the U.S."

In addition to cash management and automated checkout solutions, which Wincor Nixdorf has showcased at Wincor World for the last few years, this year the company introduced a new transaction processing offer for retailers and FIs.

On an outsourced basis, Wincor Nixdorf can now manage debit- and credit-card transaction processing for FI and retail customers. The payment processing services for retail companies include IT-infrastructure management, the transfer of all card transactions to the bank acquirer that settles the card transactions, as well as the provision and support of the POS terminals at the retail location.

One advantage to the outsourced approach, Wincor Nixdorf says: Retailers are no longer tied to a specific bank.

"The option of changing its financial services provider improves a retailer's position when it comes to negotiating lower charges," the company says. "Wincor Nixdorf's transaction processing services for banks range from transaction checking and forwarding to authorization, back-up and transfer of the posting data records, and provision of the data center and network infrastructure. All types of national and international cards are processed. The service covers all transactions offered at self-service terminals: from balance inquiries to cash dispensing."

Wincor Nixdorf says it also assumes responsibility for the maintenance, remote monitoring, cash replenishment and the transaction platform for all of the ATMs in the retail environment.

"Quick and smooth transaction processes are ensured by automatic synchronization with systems at other locations and automatic transfer of the relevant functions," Wincor Nixdorf says. "As a result, transactions can be monitored and analyzed online, at the branch or store and at the head office."