As part of the conceptual restructuring of CeBIT the show has been given a stronger vertical focus for an optimum fit with the various "communities." The "Banking & Finance" sector has been expanded to include "Point of Sale" (POS) products and services, making this the first-ever holistic presentation of hardware and software systems in Hall 17. Featured products include retail software, loan management and liquidity planning tools, account statement printers, money counting machines and automated tellers, cashless cash registers, registration systems and POS terminals. A particular highlight involves Banqtec's new "Cashmobile" - a mobile automated teller that provides a completely new dimension in flexibility and customer service.
Staged jointly with the monthly financial publication "Bankmagazin", the Finance Solutions Forum offers tradeshow visitors a diverse, user-oriented program. The forum will be opened on 4 March by Dr. Ibrahim Karasu, Management Board Member of the Association of German Banks. Discussion panels featuring leading representatives of banking and financial service institutions as well as big-name financial experts and prominent figures from the business, political and research communities will discuss topics of burning interest to the industry, including "State-of-the-Art IT Solutions, "Secure Access Control," "Outsourcing Processes," "Automated Teller Solutions," "International Sales Strategies & Software in Everyday Practice" and "Automated Self-service Solutions." The forum will also feature findings from the latest "Bank of the Future" surveys, including the opportunities and challenges which lie in store for banks and how to prepare for these. Apart from Klaus Rausch, Managing Director of HVB Systems, speakers will include Rolf Seifert, Information Technology Director at Credit Suisse, Dr. Raschid Karabek, Head of Strategy & Business Development at BT Germany and Martin Engstler from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO). The program will be rounded off by a series of workshops and panel discussions - for example, a discussion featuring representatives from the RZB Group, UBS and Western Union Bank discussing the topic, "Is the bank customer still king?"
An additional highlight involves the new "Future Banking" platform, an annual showcase for cutting-edge products and solutions revolving around a new topic every year. The featured topic at CeBIT 2008 will be "Bank Branch 2012." On over 200 square meters of display space, this platform will provide a glimpse of state-of-the-art bank branches a couple of years down the road, including the functionalities and technology they will need to offer. To this end, a fully functional bank branch office with cutting edge hardware and software solutions will be assembled. The goal is to highlight innovative solutions for banking processes. Exhibitors include IND, Kobil and WINCOR NIXDORF, all keen on demonstrating how banks can develop their business with the customer's best interest in mind as well as improve their own cost-effectiveness.
New talent wanted
On CeBIT weekend the topics of recruiting, continuing education and careers will be highlighted. Human Resources representatives from leading financial service and banking institutions as well as the higher education sector will be on hand to meet potential applicants.
