This press release can also be found on AST's website (www.ast.co.za)
and at the IT Web Technology News site.

AST and Microsoft have formed a strategic relationship focused on delivering technology solutions to various vertical markets. In this context, AST has entered into an agreement with KAL, the UK-based developer of KALIGNITE, to bring this product to the South African market. "We are delighted with the immediate benefits available to our strategic partners in the financial services industry," says Pieter Bouwer, AST’s MD responsible for Industry Solutions.

KALIGNITE is object-oriented middleware with ActiveX Device Controls that uses the WOSA/XFS 2.0 (Windows Open Architecture/Extension for Financial Services) standard to access ATM and kiosk hardware devices under Windows NT. KALGNITE is unique in that it supports the peripheral devices of all the big ATM vendors such as NCR, Fujitsu/ICL, Diebold and Tidel. This means that applications written using KALIGNITE can be ported to most ATM models.

Bouwer explains that ATM vendors have long clung to proprietary applications with the majority using OS/2 operating systems and proprietary networks. "Through KALIGNITE, banks will now be able to cut costs by rationalising operating systems and networks and by having one self-service application which can support a multitude of self-service devices, including all the different types of ATMs used in South Africa, with the attendant life cycle costs and auxiliary service benefits," continues Bouwer.

There is another dimension to this product - it is also a software platform for bringing Web-enabled solutions based on Microsoft technology to the self-service channel. KALIGNITE allows applications to run inside a browser such as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Top-level application components or "wizards" can be created using ActiveX components, Java beans or applets, allowing application logic to be encapsulated. KALIGNITE also provides a suite of "self-service" objects with features such as tracing and watchdog services.

Applications can be developed using authoring tools of choice like FrontPage and VisualInterdev, or alternatively using C++, Java or VB, or any ActiveX-enabled tool such as Powerbuilder or Delphi.

Web-enabled self-service devices allow for creative and interactive multi-media user interfaces and can connect via the Internet, Extranet or Intranet. There are any number of exciting, convenient, efficient and profitable business opportunities for using self-service kiosks to provide e-commerce fulfilment and government services - complementing Internet access via PC’s and the emerging mobile wireless devices.

"Businesses could deliver services via their own kiosks or those of their business partners," points out Bouwer, listing examples such as airline and other tickets, value bearing cards and tokens, hotel reservations and queue-avoiding check-outs, and many, many more. Retail outlets can host independently owned kiosks that deliver e-commerce for any number of businesses.

"Naturally, we are very excited by the innovative new business opportunities made possible by web-enabled self-service devices," says Bouwer. "However, our primary focus is to add value to our partners in banking, who have to support a diversity of ATMs."

Dr Aravinda Korala, Managing Director of KAL, says that AST-A is the perfect partner for KAL in South Africa. "AST’s energetic and collaborative approach to doing business and its strategic partnerships in the local financial services industry are very valuable," explains Korala. "Excellence in application development and extensive ICT service capabilities, including the capacity to host serious e-commerce applications in truly secure and stable environments, differentiate AST. ICT mastery, coupled with real business insight, vision and creativity, is required to fully exploit the opportunities unlocked by KALIGNITE."

"The AST Group now delivers application solutions that effectively place its customers right in the middle of the new economy. Not hype, but real world business enabling through secure and reliable delivery methodologies," concludes Gerrie De Klerk, Executive Chairman of AST.