CU*Answers recently kicked of a new “Get Connected” webinar series aimed at educating clients about the key roles and individuals working for the 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO. Most recently, Scott Page, business manager of the new Developer’s Help Desk (DHD), was interviewed. During the session, Page described how the DHD is organized and is targeted to facilitate the processes by which clients order, design, build and manage custom projects in a new, innovative way.
Page said a primary objective of the DHD is to blend the way in which CU*Answers offers custom software project development services to the credit union industry by combining many of the proven development techniques CU*Answers has employed to great success for nearly 50 years. A key component is the packaging of many of these offerings within the evolving CU*Answers Online Store, from which clients can order services and products electronically.
To facilitate requests, CU*Answers has split projects into three categories: off-the-shelf, Design Studio, and API development projects. Off-The-Shelf projects represent common projects that CU*Answers has previously completed and are normally very familiar with the project parameters and specifications. Examples of these types of projects include converting to a currently supported ATM/debit card, credit card or check processing vendor.
Design Studio projects are a more customized project development strategy for which the participating client is often the architect for designing the project blueprint and building the solution. The DHD is fully available to collaborate in helping make a client’s project vision become a reality. For example, in considering a project, stated clients may optionally wish to contract CU*Answers to engage its expert resources in a variety of ways, including project design/management, programming, quality control, marketing, compliance, back office, and more. Examples of these projects include new 3rd party vendor integrations, SSO projects, data exchange (DEX)/data warehouse file downloads, and more.
CU*Answers API development processes are moving rapidly ahead, with many APIs currently available to credit unions and vendors for free. On-going API development represents an important conduit for allowing third-party servicers to seamlessly integrate their solutions to the CU*BASE® product.
Be sure to check out the next Get Connected session to learn more about CU*Answers and the people who drive the organization forward.