Application Library Services™ (ALS)

Carreker's Application Library Services (ALS) provides check image capture support for 3890/XP class sorters, for both mainframe environments and distributed capture environments.

SUMMARY

Carreker's Application Library Services (ALS) software provides check image capture support for the Carreker suite of image applications. ALS supports both the mainframe environment and for an image server, distributed image capture environment.

Mainframe Based Image Capture

ALS can function as a mainframe based application supporting image capture from IBM 3890/XP class devices, or from other transports such as the NCR 7780, that are being used in conjunction with the Carreker's XP Low Speed Interface (XPLSI) software that emulates the IBM 3890/XP. ALS can support image capture from 20+ 3890 class sorters simultaneously, all running at their full rated speed. Images are captured real time and stored in Carreker's mainframe database, Check Image Management System (CIMS).

Check Image Management System (CIMS)

CIMS is the image capture database of the Carreker ALS application. It is made up of a number of VSAM linear datasets used to store the images as they are received from the sorters. CIMS allows capture from many 3890s simultaneously, creating image datasets for each sorter. CIMS also has an index structure that associates the image key for an item with the storage location of the image. This image key is referred to as the CIMS key for the image.

CIMS is very powerful and very flexible, supporting all of the industry standard image formats such as ABIC, JPEG and G4. Images can be either IOCA wrapped or TIFF wrapped, depending on the capabilities of the image capture transports. CIMS can store up to four images or segments per check, allowing the capture of Front black/white, Front grayscale, Back black/white and Back grayscale images.

Distributed Image Capture and Export (DICE)

Application Library Services also has a distributed image capture variation known as Distributed Image Capture & Export (DICE). DICE works in conjunction with an off-host image capture server that supports the capture of check images to a distributed server. Carreker currently uses the IBM RS/6000 server with the IBM AIX operating system for this purpose. In the future, options will be expanding to offer distributed ALS on a Windows NT server platform.

Carreker can support up to eight 3890/XP class sorters on a single IBM RS/6000 server running the DICE version of ALS. This provides a very powerful option for check image capture at a remote capture site, or a central site if it is preferable to have images captured off the host platform. The image database for DICE is referred to as the Distributed Check Image Management System (DCIMS).

CPCS and SuperMICR Support

Carreker's ALS application works in conjunction with the major check capture applications in the industry – CPCS and SuperMICR. ALS is structured to be an extension of current check processing environments, allowing users of CPCS or SuperMICR to support the capture of images during normal daily check processing.

ALS is integrated with these two systems to ensure that image capture is complete and accurate. ALS communicates with the MICR capture system to co-ordinate the handling of jams, restarts, and error recovery situations. This allows operators to concentrate on running CPCS or SuperMICR, while being confident that images are being captured successfully and accurately for all items.

ALS/CIMS as a Short Term Archive

ALS is designed to support the capture of check images and to manage their retention for extended periods of time, allowing the use of applications such as Image CD-ROM, Image Statements, and Image Viewing. CIMS or DCIMS can be used to hold images for 1-120 days or longer, depending on requirements. Carreker's bulk processing applications, such as CD-ROM creation or Image Statements, can process images directly from the ALS capture systems. ALS also supports the viewing of images stored in CIMS or DCIMS and can give CIMS key access to images immediately after the end of a capture entry.

ALS – More Than a Capture System

ALS provides image capture and more! It is the premier check image capture application in the Industry, installed at over 35 major banks and financial institutions. ALS can support the full range of an institution's check image requirements.

For more information about this solution, contact Doug Halvorsen at 704.602.5335 or complete our Information Request Form.