technical highlights
hPLUSâ„¢ is both a banking solution and an application development environment. In other words, a bank can use hPLUSâ„¢ as a banking application and continue deploying new modules or customize the existing modules.
hPLUSâ„¢ is developed as a 3-tier object oriented system with unlimited middle-layer scalability to handle very large transaction loads. The bottom layer is the database layer whereas the top layer is machines with JVM clients running any *ML CHTML, WML, etc.) or simple one way phones like PDAs, IP phones, Fax, etc. When thin clients are used, XML is the primary delivery format.
This type of flexibility provides a unique customer service opportunity for banks to easily integrate with external systems as and when required.
At the middle layer, hPLUSâ„¢ utilizes a number of innovative technologies such as JAVAâ„¢ and Linux to provide a virtually unlimited scalable environment for its delivery channels and payment gateways. Innovation here allows banks to scale to their desired level simply by adding off-the-shelf PCs and limiting capital investment on HW expansion for the middle tier.
The TPS Core is the lower level of the middle layer where any change in the data (which may or may not be related to banking) is monitored and scrutinized through its security and control mechanisms. All modules, banking and non-banking must pass through the TPS Core before any module specific processing takes place. Another advantage of this is that module specific processing can be designed and coded into the business objects without disturbing the lower layer.
The development process utilizes JAVAâ„¢ and XML technology and the architecture supports a two-level programming approach. End-developers develop business logic in JAVAâ„¢ and save it to the database as JAVAâ„¢ classes. The two level programming methodology utilized by hPLUSâ„¢ creates a secure development environment, where developers cannot access nor change the core hPLUSâ„¢ Engine. This approach also separates new module development from the TPS Core.
The solid TPS Core controls user access, security, banking rules, inter-branch auto-reconciliation and many other functions. The configurable Event Monitor uses the built-in mail transport system to send mail and/or alerts to the concerned users whenever events are detected in the system which require attention from senior management. A special Control Module is used to configure the various features of the TPS Core. hPLUSâ„¢ treats the Control Module as another seamless module.
Given the flexibility of the entire architecture, banks can use hPLUSâ„¢ for more than just a banking application. hPLUSâ„¢ lends itself to other important areas of banking. For example, the HR module is seamlessly integrated into hPLUSâ„¢ and offers a range of functionality such as Staff Attendance, Employee Appraisal, Leave Management, Payroll, Benefits and Pension Disbursement, Fixed Asset Management, etc. Other examples of seamlessly integrated modules are Case Code module for tracking problem resolution, Project Management module which allows staff from various departments, zones, etc. to collaborate on projects, Integrated Call Centre module for client servicing, Queue-System for managing Teller services at a Branch and so forth.
New functionality from new modules automatically merges into the existing modules. Users can create complex transaction workflows by chaining available options and/or workflows in any fashion. This unique feature is one of the major factors that enables the seamless integration of new modules into the existing system.
Another strength of the technical design is the immediate availability of data for analysis of customer transactions and, investment preferences including profitability considerations and debt analysis.
Furthermore, hPLUSâ„¢ eliminates the need to use any front-end licensed software packages. Instead of using expensive licensing-based software that mandates the necessity to have server capacity at the desktop (for example to provide spreadsheet and document editing capabilities) - hPLUSâ„¢ uses embedded Open Source Office components. This allows the deployment of cost effective technology across the enterprise.
