CU*BASE ASP Strategy

At CU*Answers, we offer our clients a core solution not a core system.

CU*Answers’ signature CU*BASE system combines the processing power of a proven, feature rich application with business logic and middleware standards designed to promote integration with third party systems such as Zoot for online credit bureau access and Paymentus for electronic bill payment and presentment. This open business philosophy empowers clients to expand into new, dynamic processes on a level rarely found with traditional packages.

The ASP model targets credit unions of any size. Benefits of the ASP include a menu of enterprise processing services, including Network Services – a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offering a secured, high-speed link to access select business partners, virtual education, technical and client support services. Additionally, CU*Answers will manage client data communications and network security access to CU*BASE, while providing a single delivery channel for services such as online banking, audio response, ATM/debit and credit card offerings. All of these are tightly integrated to benefit from the CU*BASE relational database structure.

The ASP model incorporates TCP/IP networking, popular LAN/WAN server technology, CISCO communications routers and firewall security to provide automated systems balancing and controls. To ensure maximum efficiency, the ASP is architected to be physically separated from CU*Answers programming, quality control and item processing networks. Other ASP benefits include:

Minimal Capital Investment
ASP eliminates upfront, long-term capital expenditures often associated with in-house processing including equipment, software license fees, operations staff and more.
Future Growth Demands
ASP incorporates unlimited scalability as based future growth demands, without the client having to budget for or incur large capital outlays.
Eliminate Technology Obsolescence
ASP clients typically deploy new member services faster. Since the ASP pricing model is based upon a per transaction or event basis, clients benefit from eliminating cash layouts routinely required for keeping up with rapidly changing technology, and the financial risk associated with member indifference to those purchased products.
Operational Simplicity
End of day, end of month and year-end processing requirements become a non-event. CU*Answers literally becomes an extension of your staff for completing these processes. An added benefit is that ASP clients are able to eliminate their dependence upon a single-operator shift having to support a 24/7 self-service product environment.
Disaster Recovery and Security
ASP incorporates an extensive and layered approach to ensuring optimum performance and security safeguards. Back-up systems include transaction posting to redundant processing platforms, on-site battery and generator back-up, contracted IBM hot-site services, and Branch Sharing options; all for under 2.5 cents per member month!
Peace of Mind
ASP eliminates the stress and worries often associated with managing an internal system. In many ways, it allows credit union people to focus on what they do best versus having to become data processing and network security experts. What value do you place on this? For many, ASP provides the perfect balance for promoting quality member service while ensuring a regular and consistent approach to data processing.
Updated
April 10, 2023

[The Pulse] HA Rollover Results Now Available

[The Pulse] HA Rollover Results Now Available

HA Rollover Results Now Available HA Rollover: May 14 – 21 Now available for your review is a summary of the recent CU*Answers HA (high availability) rollover event performed May 14th to 21st for the CU*BASE core processing environment.  In this report, you will find details about the exercise, including challenges observed, lessons learned, and… Read more »

Jun 12, 2023

May Owner’s View Monthly Recap

May Owner’s View Monthly Recap

Check out recent programming changes in the May 2023 edition of the Owner’s View Monthly Recap! Open the Owner’s View Monthly Recap The Owner’s View Monthly Recap is designed to keep you informed of feature improvements, vendor enhancements, and other changes to CU*BASE and accompanying core-software products. Read previous editions of the Owner’s View Monthly… Read more »

Jun 5, 2023

Reminder: HA Rollback This Weekend

Reminder: HA Rollback This Weekend

This is a reminder of the high-availability Rollback event that will be occurring this weekend.  The Rollback process will begin Sunday, May 21st at 2:00 AM ET. During this time, there will be a period of approximately 60 to 90 minutes that will include an interruption to the following services: CU*BASE/GOLD, CU*Talk audio response and… Read more »

May 19, 2023

Rollover Event This Weekend – Updates to be Posted on CU*BASE Alerts Page

Rollover Event This Weekend – Updates to be Posted on CU*BASE Alerts Page

Don’t forget: this weekend, we will be testing our ability to redirect CU*BASE core-processing from our production data center to our high-availability (HA) data center.  The Rollover event is scheduled to begin at 2:00 AM ET on Sunday, May 14th.  Once completed, CU*BASE core-processing will be provided from systems at the HA data center for… Read more »

May 10, 2023

Don’t Forget: CU*BASE Release 23.05 is Arriving Soon! Check out the Release Training Video!

Don’t Forget: CU*BASE Release 23.05 is Arriving Soon!  Check out the Release Training Video!

CU*BASE Release 23.05 Online and Site Four Release Date is May 7 Self-Processor Release Date is May 21 Documents 23.05 Release Summary 23.05 New and Updated Tool Summary 23.05 Database Changes Summary  Release Training Resources If you missed our recent training sessions for the 23.05 Release, a recording is now available – click here to… Read more »

May 3, 2023

April Owner’s View Monthly Recap

April Owner’s View Monthly Recap

Check out recent programming changes in the April 2023 edition of the Owner’s View Monthly Recap! Open the Owner’s View Monthly Recap The Owner’s View Monthly Recap is designed to keep you informed of feature improvements, vendor enhancements, and other changes to CU*BASE and accompanying core-software products. Read previous editions of the Owner’s View Monthly… Read more »

May 2, 2023

Don’t Forget: The Next HA Rollover is Coming May 14th – We Need You to Perform a Connectivity Test!

Don’t Forget: The Next HA Rollover is Coming May 14th – We Need You to Perform a Connectivity Test!

Twice each year, CU*Answers tests our ability to redirect CU*BASE core-processing from our production data center in Kentwood, MI to our high-availability (HA) data center in Yankton, SD.  The next HA rollover is scheduled for Sunday, May 14th. The rollover is scheduled to begin at 2:00 AM ET on Sunday, May 14th with the rollback… Read more »

May 2, 2023