Taking the initiative from the first generation of ATMs, NEC has undertaken universal design with the aim of making Seven Bank ATMs easy for anybody to use. For example, they are highly convenient in terms of general-purpose use and functions, and they are configured with LCD panels and operating buttons in locations where people in wheelchairs can use without any difficulty. Moreover, from autumn 2007, NEC introduced a voice guidance system for visually disabled people so that they can use ATMs securely and conveniently.
The system' s main feature is the fact that visually disabled people can use ATMs by operating only the numeric keys of an interphone. The voice guidance system provides detailed information to enable people who are not accustomed to operating ATMs to use them on their own. If a problem occurs during a transaction, the ATM automatically connects to a call center and an operator handles the transaction. In addition, to prevent mischief by third persons, consideration has been given to security: the ATMs have been configured to prevent any further operation of the touch panel and numeric keys on the machine when the user has chosen to conduct a transaction using the interphone.
These operations can be performed in the same way at all Seven Bank ATMs everywhere. In this way, this is the first time in the financial industry in Japan that a company has addressed the special needs of visually disabled customers by unifying the specifications of all its ATMs.
Established in April 2001, Seven Bank Ltd. (called IY Bank when it was founded) is the first bank in Japan whose parent company is a major player in the distribution industry. It is an unprecedented bank even in global terms because its main business is centered on its ATM network. Seven Bank ATMs have been installed at all Seven-Eleven and Ito-Yokado stores in Japan, and their network is also expanding to branch offices of Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. Since NEC first took part in a convenience store ATM development project for Seven-Eleven in 1998, it has been involved in designing hardware and developing applications for Seven Bank ATMs.
Seven Bank ATMs accept not only Seven Bank cards, but also approximately 550 cards issued by partner financial institutions. From July 2007, it also became possible to use ATM cards and credit cards issued overseas. In addition, convenience has been dramatically enhanced for people that use Seven Bank ATMs. For instance, an original screen for the customer' s bank appears immediately after card information is read. This application makes use of the technologies and experience of NEC, which has developed systems for financial institutions over many years.