Automatic Cash Vending Machines continue to be beyond the reach of the Small and Medium organisations all over the World. This is notably the case in the developing World. By simply automating the cash vending operations, Governments, Banks, NGOs, Private Sectors and a host of Small and Medium Organisations can improve their efficiency almost twice. The cost of cash vending machines continuous to be too high to enable majority of these organisations to afford the same. ELCOT has decided to address this issue by creating an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) / Cash Vending Machine at a highly affordable cost. The following are the prospective beneficiaries of the ELCOT's initiative.
1.Small Banks in India and the developing World.

2.Small Scale Organisations in the entire developing World.

3.Private Companies which want to periodically disburse cash such as Coal Mines, Factories etc.

4.Government Schemes intending to disburse cash such as National Old Age Pension Scheme, Widow Pension Scheme, Distress Relief Scheme, Accident Relief Scheme, Employment Assistance Scheme, Unemployed Youth Support Scheme and so on.

5.Special Schemes from Government of India such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

6.Commercial Banks that wish to run unitary or networked ATM services.

7.Co-operative Banks located in Cities, Towns and Villages.

The above list is only illustrious that there could be numerous requirements from all over the World if only the ATM becomes an affordable commodity.
ELCOT wishes to provide an Industry grade ATM at a cost of Rs.1.50 lakhs. ELCOT has commenced the task of developing industry grade ATM during the month of October 2006. Within 4 to 5 months time, ELCOT developed the first ever prototype of the Linux powered ATM on 21.03.2007. The Prototype ATM itself is a fully functional single currency ATM which can be connected to a unitary system or networked operating system.

In order to cut down the cost and to increase the reliability of the ATM, ELCOT decided to develop the ATM using Open Source Technology. The first prototype developed ATM runs on SUSE Linux Operating System. The cash dispensing machine, smart card reader and also biometric reader have all been made operational using SUSE Linux Operating System. The application software for driving the ATM has been developed using Open Source TCL/TK Software. The database powering the ATM is Postgres which is again an Open Source offering. (postgres.org).

ELCOT has been doing various experimentations in the use of Open Source Technology. Currently, its entire software development wing consisting of 30 Software Professionals has been doing the software development work using Linux Operating System. All the hardware and software that are being acquired by ELCOT are being tested for Linux compatibility before the purchase. This enabled ELCOT to successfully develop the first ever Linux ATM. Already, ELCOT has successfully tested wireless data cards (PCMCIA and USB) and biometric technology using SUSE Linux.
ELCOT invites Banks, Organisations and Governments to indent their ATM requirements. The best advantage of "Made in India" - Linux ATM is that it can be customised to suit the requirements of each and every client. ELCOT would provide 10 different types of ATM offering at different cost level suiting the packet and the requirements of different types of clients. For example, Commercial Banks which may want stand alone equipment without a security man guarding the ATM may need additional steel guard to protect the cash dispenser. This will be provided at an extra cost. Agricultural Co-operative Banks which may want to commission the ATM within their complex may not require stringent safety norms. In such cases, a customised ATM will be provided at a low cost.

The Heart of the ATM: The heart of the ATM is the Cash Dispenser which is imported from United Kingdom. ELCOT offers two types of cash dispensers - Single Currency Cash Dispenser and a Double Currency Cash Dispenser. Depending on the option chosen, the cost will vary.

Advantage of Linux ATM: The best advantages of Linux ATM are as follows:-

1.Cost reduction due to saving in operating system cost: 90% cost of the operating system will be saved as ELCOT uses SUSE Linux, which is an Open Source Operating System.

2.Free from Viruses: SUSE Linux, like any other Linux operating system has proved to be completely secure from viruses. 90% of the Desktop Systems in ELCOT run on SUSE Linux only. 100% of the Rack Servers in ELCOT run either on SUSE Linux or Redhat Linux Operating System. It has been the experience of ELCOT that the Linux Operating System is completely protected from virus nuisances and security threats.

3.No System Hanging Problem: There is no system hanging problem associated with SUSE Linux Operating System. Hence, the customers will not suffer any loss due to down time.

4.Network and Remote Control Features: ELCOT's Linux ATM comes with network features and remote administration features. The client will be able to control the ATM from anywhere in the World.

5.Wireless Network Compatibility: ELCOT\'s Linux ATM comes with Linux powered wireless network system. Any Internet data card with Linux compatibility can be enabled to make the ATM wire free with fool proof security.

6.Biometric Authentication: Biometric Authentication option is available at a mild extra cost of Rs. 10,000/-.

ELCOT would file necessary patent for the World's first ever Linux ATM.

AGT Electronics Limited, Coimbatore is a Joint Venture Company of ELCOT, wherein the Managing Director, ELCOT is the Chairman of the Company. Mr. Thangaraj, who presently holds the post of Chairman in Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore Region is the Managing Director of this Company. Mr. Thangaraj is a very innovative upright person who has brilliant ideas about new areas in Information Technology. The Managing Director, ELCOT provided him the task of developing the Linux ATM. Necessary fund support and review support was provided by ELCOT. Mr. Thangaraj and his team accomplished the first prototype of the ATM which happened to be a completely workable model even at the first prototype stage. ELCOT congratulates Mr. Thangaraj and his team for this remarkable achievement. Currently, AGT Electronics Limited, Coimbatore has placed the Linux ATM at ELCOT's Corporate Office at Chennai for developing a parallel Java Interface software for the ATM. ELCOT's software development team is at the job of creating the parallel Java Software for driving the ATM.

Windows and Linux Compatibility: ELCOT's Linux ATM can parallely work with Windows Operating System and also Linux Operating System. The Linux driven ATM can interact with the Windows Network System using Samba server. It is yet another unique advantage with ELCOT's ATM.

ELCOT also has a Windows version of the ATM. So Windows based organizations also can avail this opportunity.

For further details contact md@elcot.com

Press Release on 29.03.07 - http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/Home/HomeDetails.asp,
htttp://www.dinakaran.com/daily/2007/mar/30/vartha.asp

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •