Many years ago I worked for the Perm, who were pretty forward thinking in terms of information technology. As far back as the late 1970s Perm ATMs were able to immediately use your language of choice because it was encoded on your card and could be read as soon as you inserted it. Other banks and building societies required your first action to be choosing a language. In the 1980s Perm was swallowed bymerged with Nedbank who inherited all the clever IT people from Perm, so Nedbank ATMs could also tell your language as soon as you inserted your card. Admittedly they may have already had that behaviour before the merger. Yet, even today, some other banks’ ATMs still require you to choose a language when you insert your card.
Today I went to draw cash and found that Nedbank have rolled out new ATM software. It looks nice, with shiny graphics and even “cool” little audio feedbacks when actions take place. But, they have regressed 30 years, joining the ATM stupid club, by requiring you to choose a language when you insert your card. What’s next? Reverting to bank books and over the counter transacting? Come on guys, is there anyone awake at 105 West Street?
craniac's place 