1. Objectives:
There are a number of projects, all with the general objective of exploring how expert systems and related technologies can benefit the bank:
• integrating expert systems into a future architecture for developing banking applications.
• a sales workbench, to aid branch personnel working at the side counter or in an open style office to increase customer support, especially for complex financial products, and to increase cross selling of financial products where appropriate.
• increasing the automation of mainframe systems operations, including performance, software maintenance, production support, contingency planning, etc.
2. The technological problems & risks:
These and other potential applications are targets for the application of AI and expert system technology. Most banking is still delivered with traditional COBOL based software on the mainframe, and with limited, C based software on PCs.
The main challenge is in the architecture and design of new applications that fit well into both the business environment of the bank as well as into the information processing environment of the bank. The "expert" interface can be utilized by banking experts to increase the responsiveness, accountability, and maintainability of application systems.
A better methodology is needed, avoiding the long cycle of user requirements, development, testing, and implementation. Effective technology transfer is also important, since there is an established software group that understands the banking applications.
Present expert system technologies and methodologies have to be adapted to fit the requirements and to fit into a demanding transaction oriented environment.
3. Personnel:
Rainer von Königslöw acts as consultant to the Architecture and Consulting group, which in turn lend his services to different groups within the bank.
4. Project status & plans:
This is an ongoing program, with a number of pilot projects, each with their own timetables. The basic program has been going on since about 1986, with occasional stops and starts. It still has a long way to go before expert systems and related technologies and methodologies are firmly integrated into the banking information processing environment.