IND Financial Portal

Every bank and financial institution are continuously studying the feasibility of selling financial products and providing banking services more efficiently through online channels. Financial products are usually complex, thus providing cogent information which is deep enough and transparent for a purchasing decision is a great challenge for most of them. And that’s not all. These web systems must be capable to work as an integrated and highly secure sales channel.

A well-functioning web portal has to be:

• attractive
• easy to use
• easy to handle and maintain
• based on reliable technologies
• capable of the latest user requirements

Our approach– from the business point of view:

• efficient sales channel with fully comprehensive online services
• focused target group communication
• understandable and usable
• supports brand communication correspondent with offline communication

Our approach to financial portals – from technological view:

• instant content update without specific IT knowledge
• integration to existing components
• modular setup, possible constant improvement
• emphasized attention on security requirements

IND Taranis Portal Server

Companies who operate a continuously updated internet or intranet site with a wide range of functions and content need a complex, flexibly upgradeable, module based publication system that also provides editorial interface, user right management and versioning.

The IND Taranis Portal Server fulfils these requirements and provides an editorial interface  which is able to fully support the functions of a large thematic portal with its high flexibility level and structural modules.

Main Features

• Specific functional support for financial institutions (calculators, product application forms, rates, comparison charts, etc.)
• Multi-lingual support
• Full and partial maintenance support
• Limited access pages, content and functions
• Easily manageable structure, based on page properties
• Structure and functions splitting

Main Functions

• Integrated search engine
• Branch and ATM search
• Visitor statistics (traditional statistics and user tracing)
• Logging (both page and module based)
• User management tools (user rights and group handling)
• Instant page creation, setting up from modules
• Content management by the user (using JavaScript technology)
• Instant function support demanded by most users (search, logging, statistics, limited access areas, printable version, etc.)
• Loan Calculators
• Loan Consultant / Advisory
• Deposit Consultant / Advisory
• Comparative Products Tables
• Online Account Opening Application
• Online Product / Channel Application

HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE

The system can be operated in single, dual or load-balanced machine setup. In a single machine base both the web server and the database server along with the portal engine are running on the same hardware. In a dual setup the engine and database are running on an internal network not accessible from outside. The web server is located in the DMZ.

SYSTEM ARCHITECURE

Regarding functionality, the system can be split into two parts: the portal can be accessible for the public (or authorized users) or it can be used as a closed editorial interface. In a dual machine setup these parts are physically split, however, they can also be operated on the same server. The system is capable of serving both internet and intranet portals simultaneously.

INSTALLATION

Prior to usage, the IND Taranis Portal Server has to be customized and configured to the client's needs. During the customization process, the graphical setup is defined and integrated into the system, and the engine has to be configured. Some modules may require customizing and upgrading to the client's individual requirements. Due to the editorial interface, the system can be filled with content by the user.

New functions and modules can be continuously developed, as well, due to the fact that several services are internally provided by the server. Development of these functions requires technical support. IND is ready to offer the necessary service package including installation, consultation and also support.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The portal server has been written in PHP language making it able to work with several web server applications as PHP is connectible to most of the platforms.

Background database: several software is supported, like PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle RDBMS, DB2 or MSSQL.

System operation: Supported Web and SQL server, GD and DOM XML support for PHP and Perl for the search engine are required.

Administration interface: Web based, lies on JavaScript technology that requires Internet Explorer 6.x or later version, or Mozilla Firefox browser.