Cisco and Andtek Open the Vault

Andtek, the German provider of scalable call distribution systems, created a combined, mobile communications solution specifically for the financial sector using Cisco call management solutions. 

This solution combines several communication services, such as data/video communications, building security, video surveillance, and intelligent call distribution, across multiple channels. The solution, according to Andtek, enables financial enterprises such as insurance companies and banks to become one single, virtual entity. Multichannel communication means customer information can be accessed by employees who are geographically dispersed. This is beneficial for customers also, because they can access their financial institution via a single phone number.

Andtek points out that an increasing number of financial institutions are migrating to UC applications. Many of Germany’s banks, such as the Basler Kantonalbank and the HypoVereinsbank are also utilizing Cisco IP technology.

Andtek’s “Desktop AC,” is an IP switchboard console alternative that enables a full overview of a company’s telephone lines as well as detailing information about each individual caller, on the PC or IP phone.

Andtek’s popular “Contact Center” application, which allows the optimization of call routing and customer services, is currently in use by many insurance companies whose employee base exceeds 1,000 members. The UC solution enables the centralized management of the entire customer service information base from a single platform.

Many financial institutions are legally required to record telephone conversations. Andtek caters to this need with the “Andtek Phone Recorder,” which will record all phone calls from the beginning and encrypts them so they cannot be tampered with. This means the exact conversations can be used as evidence in court when necessary.

According to some UC industry analysts, around 90 percent of all German banks wish to begin utilizing UC solutions by 2013. This will help them to improve customer service and internal co-operation, and to improve their cost efficiency. Earlier in 2012, Andtek acquired a new client in Generali Deutschland Informatik Services GmbH, one of Germany’s largest financial groups.

In a recent news report, CEO of Andtek, Roland Russwurm, said that financial institutions should be quick to adopt UC. “If you hesitate too long and stick to your stand-alone solutions, you’ll be frustrating your own staff and risking your customers’ loyalty,” Russwurm commented.

Founded in 2000, Andtek specializes in custom-designed, intelligent UC applications and services. The company offers UC solutions, such as presence services, voice recording and security applications. Andtek’s IP telephony solutions are geared towards financial institutions, the health care industry, public service ns the judiciary.(CU) Link