ATLANTA (May 3, 2001) Harland Financial Solutions, a leading provider of software solutions for financial institutions, is now live with the Microsoft Windows 2000 version of its ULTRADATA data-processing system at the University of Hawaii FCU. The ULTRADATA system is one of the only systems dedicated to credit unions that provides a core-processing host able to run on either UNIX or Windows 2000. The host's platform independence continues to make ULTRADATA a leader in openness and flexibility. "Credit unions are looking for the most cost-effective way to manage their data and software applications," said Jim Berthelsen, vice president and general manager of Harland Financial Solutions' Integrated Host Processing division. "The platform independence and flexibility of the ULTRADATA host allow us to meet the needs of a wider range of credit unions. With this cross-platform innovation, a credit union can switch between platforms without changing systems--or having to worry about its data." The new Windows 2000 version provides a full deployment of the functionality developed over 20 years for the popular UNIX version, which currently serves over 400 credit unions. The information management modules include the Ultra-Access suite of Internet banking, telephone banking, and bill payment products; the Financial Services Suite of front office, collections, and automated loan processing (ALPS); the card services suite, sales automation, and document imaging. "Being on a true NT platform was very important to us," said John Kaneshiro, CFO, University of Hawaii FCU. "It's much easier for our IT staff to maintain and the system itself is very open, flexible and scaleable. And yet, system security and integrity remain intact. We now have the ability to expand our services without the heavy expenses and issues involved in the different UNIX systems." "Not only do the hardware requirements cost less but with the testing we've done these last two months, we anticipate a reduction in our month-end processes by 75%," said Robert Torres, DP Supervisor. The Windows 2000 version is the first deployment of the ULTRADATA host on an Intel-based server using jBASE data management software. Previously, the host only supported proprietary UNIX platforms. Hewlett Packard (HP UX) and IBM RS6000 (AIX) have been the most popular, but the system has been installed on a variety of UNIX platforms. The credit union can now choose to operate under a UNIX or Windows2000 platform and shift from one platform to another as their needs change. In addition to Windows 2000 support, the new version, using jBASE technology, adds hot standby back-up processing, thin-client support, database-independence, and other advanced features to the ULTRADATA host. "We are extremely pleased to partner with Harland Financial Solutions," said Dave Bryant, President of jBASE Software, Inc. "As well as additional hardware platforms, jBASE provides many other state-of-the-art features to the ULTRADATA system. Our technology will allow Harland Financial Solutions to provide the functionality credit unions need to move their businesses forward well into the future." The Windows 2000 version uses the same modular approach as the UNIX version, with the Intel-based host server housing all of a credit union's member, account, and transaction information. This central data-processing facility supplies the ULTRADATA client/server service modules with all the information needed to conduct business in the branch, on the phone, on ATMs, or over the Internet. The modules offer a wide variety of options and configurations to accommodate each credit union's unique processing environment.