ACI will offer Paragon's ConfigBuilder and ATMulator to BASE24 and BASE24-es customers. Paragon tools allow customers to easily create ATM load images and conduct end-to-end testing of their interaction using a desktop "virtual test lab." In addition, ACI will recommend Paragon's FASTest for scripted QA and regression testing, and FASTress for system capacity testing.

This agreement is an extension of the long-standing relationship between the two companies. ACI has been a Paragon customer for more than 5 years, and Paragon tools are already installed in over two dozen ACI customer sites. Paragon also regularly participates in the ACI user groups such as ACE in the Americas and EBUG in EMEA.

ACI is recommending Paragon tools as a comprehensive solution for ATM configuration and testing. ACI customers can reduce time-to-market and increase profit potential with rapid configuration and testing of ATMs for MPEG support, audio for ADA compliance, triple-DES or EMV support. The suite is affordably priced and easily delivered "off-the-shelf" via the Internet to any of ACI's global customers.

ACI is expanding the use of the tools internally and incorporating them into ACI Development and Quality Assurance functions with the goal to enhance ACI testing efforts from initial development to customer delivery. Paragon tools allow ACI to easily emulate ATM functions from their desktop and gain efficiencies within the development and testing cycle.

"It is especially gratifying that ACI's recommendation is based on their technicians' and customers' own first hand experience with Paragon tools," says Kathryn Cameron, Paragon's marketing director. "Another strong selling point is the proven nature of our products, in use at over 150 financial institutions, including the largest ATM deployer in the US. Paragon customers manage more than 100,000 ATMs, giving Paragon the opportunity to have a positive impact in a variety of cutting-edge ATM initiatives."

"ACI Worldwide is pleased with this new agreement," said Bob Cronin, Vice President, Payment Systems, ACI Worldwide. "We determined that Paragon offered an unmatched breadth of products, ranging from ATM configuration and simulation tools to network test tools for over 40 ISO 8583 and non-ISO message formats. We have used Paragon internally for several years. We welcome the opportunity to present the WorkSmart ATM Suite as a configuration and testing complement to our BASE24 and BASE24-es products."