The £20 banknote carrying the portrait of composer Sir Edward Elgar is to be finally withdrawn from circulation from 30th June 2010. The Bank of England have said that for several months from the end of June banks, building societies and Post Offices will accept Elgar notes for deposit to customers accounts and other customer transactions. The Bank of England will always give value for these notes. enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk
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We are delighted to announce that one of the world’s leading Insurance Brokers and Risk Advisers have decided to upgrade their cashless system at their Head Office in London, with CS UK. Having worked with them since 2003 we were able to demonstrate the tangible benefits of moving to a fully web based system and also provide a new range of hardware that is compatible with some of the existing EFT loaders that were upgraded only two years ago. The client conducted a thorough investigation of the cashless market before choosing to stay with CS. The project begins in February 2010

Counter Solutions are proud to announce the launch of their new German website www.countersolutions.de . The website is to cater for the large German demand for the innovative systems which Counter Solutions provides. It is indeed the continued success and expansion of German operations which has seen the formation of Counter Solutions GmbH and the launch of this website.

Counter Solutions – Chris Bernans said:

“The launch of www.countersolutions.de is another sign of Counter Solutions leading the market in the next generation of cashless systems. Our rapidly expanding International client base has been achieved through our ability to deliver flexible, highly functional, cost effective solutions.”

Having used the Counter Solutions cashless system at two sites in the UK for the past seven years Pfizer took the decision to implement SmartSuite to manage both sites and Sandwich and Walton Oaks. Smartsuite, the web based management system offers complete flexibility to the system operators and central management team, as well as state of the art ‘Touch and Go’ hardware. The decision was made easier because CS international had installed another Pfizer site, in Ireland, in 2008 so the complex infrastructure requirements had already been met. Implementation begins in February 2010

Counter Solutions (CS) in partnership with Aramark will be providing a Cashless Payment System for EPOS at Solvay. Staff will be able to load funds to their SmartCard using Credit/Debit cards, and then use them on the fully integrated CS EPOS solution. Guests will also be cashless using the end to end CS Visitor card solution which issues guest SmartCards, enables funds to be loaded to them, and the SmartCard balance to be refunded, all from one piece of CS hardware.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

“The continued International success of Counter Solutions is testament to the quality of products and services which we offer clients. We look forward to sustained International expansion and continuing to lead the Cashless Payment & SmartCard System market in innovation and functionality.”

Bayer has chosen the partnership of Counter Solutions (CS) and Aramark to upgrade their Cashless Payment System. The solution will include SmartCard loading from credit/debit cards, with Cashless Vending and EPOS, all of which will be provided by CS. The multiple sites of the client will be administered centrally via the flexible web based CS SmartSuite.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

“Meeting the challenging requirements of this high profile client was one Counter Solutions (CS) were happy to accept. The multi site operation and the need to have a fully integrated Cashless Payment System for EPOS, Vending, and SmartCard Loading suited CS SmartSuite and the CS hardware range.”

Du Pont in Belgium have selected Counter Solutions (CS) in partnership with Aramark to provide Cashless Payment for their staff. The vast Vending operation will be upgraded with CS hardware along with the CS EPOS solution being implemented in the staff canteens. To meet the requirements of this client CS SmartSuite will be used to administer client trading and pricing levels.

Counter Solutions – Chris Bernans said:

“Counter Solutions (CS) are proud to add to our increasing International client base. This expansion has been driven by the functionality, flexibility, and innovation in the CS product range which provides unique advantages to our clients ”

Genencor have selected Counter Solutions (CS) in partnership with Aramark to provide Cashless Vending via the client’s SmartCard. The CS hardware will be implemented in the vending with the transactional data being extracted using the unique CS memory stick interrogation.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

“The addition of Genencor as a customer is a welcome one and Counter Solutions looks forward to meeting this high profile client requirements”

Counter Solutions (CS) in partnership with Aramark are happy to announce that Client New Holland (CNH) have chosen to upgrade their Cashless Payment System with CS. The client will be using the CS EPOS hardware and software in their staff canteens along with flexible Vending readers to implement a completely cashless environment. Web based CS SmartSuite will provide full reporting and administration of all site trading.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

“This further expansion of the Counter Solutions (CS) client base shows the company’s proven ability to design and implement market leading products to our customers. In our 20th year as a business the challenge of providing the systems of tomorrow is one CS consistently meets, and I am happy that CNH joins our many current clients.”

Counter Solutions (CS) in partnership with Aramark have been selected as Cashless SmartCard providers for Lanxess. The multi sites of Lillo and Kallo will upgrade to the web based CS SmartSuite application, and use innovative CS hardware for EPOS, Vending, Card Loading, and Card Administration. The fully integrated system provided by CS will provide card holders with complete flexibility using the latest generation of CS products.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

“We are proud to further our partnership with Aramark and expand the client base with this prestigious client. The commercial, technical, and functional advantages of using CS SmartSuite made it the natural choice to manage the multiple sites of Lanxess. The introduction of the CS hardware will enable card holders to load funds to their SmartCards from multiple sources and allow cashless payment on EPOS and Vending”

Taking place at Cologne in November, Improve 2009 is the European Trade Fair for Innovation in Higher Education. Counter Solutions selected this exhibition to showcase their next generation of cashless systems, and further confirm their presence in the German market place. The company were proud to present the new range of hardware including Cashless POS solutions, Card Loading from cash/credit/debit/EC cards, and Visitor card management. The launch also showed enhanced versions of CSSmartSuite, CSSmartLoad, and the SmartSuite Customer Database (SCD) which allows clients complete control and visibility from web-based applications.

Counter Solutions – Chris Bernans said:

“The launch of our new range of products shows the company’s continued innovation and commitment to designing the solutions of tomorrow. CSSmartLoad has seen a significant step forward with card holders simply setting up their account as a onetime process, with all subsequent loads being handled automatically. Particularly in Germany the development to allow CSSmartLoad to function with EC Cards shows a clear sign of Counter Solutions moving forward with requirements of our clients.“

Counter Solutions are pleased to announce that Andreas Lichtenstein has been added as part of the company’s expansion. Andreas stood out from a vast number of candidates with his skills and character. He will be primarily focussed on sales and key client management in our increasing German client base.

Counter Solutions – Chris Bernans said:

“Andreas brings a wide range of skills and was an obvious choice. His positive attitude and passion for offering a high quality service to our clients is exactly what the business was searching for. His role also shows the continued success of the Counter Solutions operations in Germany.”

Counter Solutions are proud to welcome Alen Kecic to the team. Alen has joined as part of our expanding operations in Germany. He has extensive knowledge and technical experiance which made him a natrual choice for the business. His role will be to provide technical support and installation services to our growing German client base.

Counter Solutions - Chris Bernans said:

"I am happy that Alen has decided to join Counter Solutions. He understands the importance of client support quality and will be a fantastic addition to the staff."

In recognition that the use of multi-application smartcards usually involves a combined approach, our Partner Program has been developed to enhance this and through working together bring joint rewards. Counter Solutions are constantly seeking companies who can promote SMARTSuite in both our existing and new market sectors in the UK & Europe. If you are aware of any organisation, or if indeed your own business would be interested in discussing the benefits of becoming a Counter Solutions approved partner, please contact andrew.pond@countersolutions.com

As an HID Connect partner, Counter Solutions, join a distinguished group of organisations who provide solutions to enable clients with iClass cards to manage a broad spectrum of logical and physical applications

The decision to introduce a new corporate smartcard at Standard Life included a review of their existing cashless system and future requirements. Following a national tender Counter Solutions were selected as they were able to demonstrate a holistic approach that when combined with their experience and technical skill set uniquely, enabled the phased introduction of the new iClass Corporate card realising financial benefits outside of the tender scope and, more importantly, minimizing the impact on over 5,000 employees. Gordon Barrie, Contract Services Manager comments “Counter Solutions met the significant challenges of this project; their hot-stage process ensured that all aspects of the solution were agreed, configured, demonstrated to our requirement and signed off by us before the implementation started. Their Systems Team also provided on-site support for several days following the "go live" date to ensure any employee queries were dealt with efficiently."

Following an extensive tender process Counter Solutions were appointed as a TUCO approved Supplier in the summer 2009. This enables members of the organisation to progress their cashless service and manage projects within a defined framework. Having supported a number of establishments over the last decade the introduction of SMARTSuite enables universities to benefit further from the latest advances in technology without the need for complexities. As Derek White of Aberdeen University states “I have found Counter Solutions to be an excellent company to work with who have been very responsive to any queries, and have found their systems to be very robust and user friendly; I would have no hesitation in recommending them.”

For the newly developed facilities provided as part of Project Sapphire at Thales Aerospace in Crawley, Sodexo were looking for special kind of catering solution. The introduction of the new facilities presented specific challenges to all involved – a simple, easy to use solution incorporating new service features to encourage increased catering uptake and usage. After an extensive tender process CSSMARTSuite was selected by Sodexo as the ideal system to manage the catering operation. The ability to integrate online ordering, flexible loading and payment methods alongside more traditional cashless and PoS capability were crucial to the final decision. Cardholders will be offered cash, payroll and flexible benefit options to load value to their Thales Mifare card. Automated import from existing Thales security and employee information will streamline system management and remove a significant administrative overhead from the catering team.

The University of Edinburgh and Counter Solutions have worked together since 1999. When it came to moving the existing EPoS systems to a new platform including Chip & Pin and extended use of smartcard capability CSSMARTSuite was the natural progression. The ability to reduce initial hardware investments – retaining newer IBM EPoS devices for example – whilst providing additional functionality allowed a phased implementation to be adopted. Such an approach also minimises disruption to ongoing University services. “As long time partners of Counter Solutions we are pleased to be migrating to CSSMARTSuite. The underlying flexibility of a fully hosted solution accessible from any internet connection will provide significant benefits to our operation. The seamless integration of EPoS, Back Office & Cashless functionality provides the ideal platform for our future Smartcard initiatives”......... stated the senior Accommodation Services management at the University.

Mitsubishi Carbide supply machine tools to industrial and manufacturing companies worldwide. As part of a new initiative the machine tools are being dispensed through vending terminals. Counter Solutions have provided the infrastructure to administer the stock control and issue of the machine tools and more importantly provide the information required for invoicing the Mitsubishi customers on a monthly basis. Counter Solutions have provided their web based cashless card CSSmartSuite software together with readers for the vending terminals, this solution enables Mitsubishi to provide the solution to their customers any where in the world.

The Rose Theatre in Kingston opens its doors to the public for their first production in January 2008. Counter Solutions have been selected to provide Epos and EFT for the three bars within this ultra modern setting. Theatre attendees will have the facility to pre order and pay for drinks ready for collection during the interval. Counter Solutions were successful in obtaining this business owing to the functionality of the system which has proven success in similar theatre operations.

Counter Solutions recently performed an upgrade at all the Oracle sites to replace their existing magnetic stripe Customer Services Points with Chip and Pin loading devices. Counter Solutions we able to offer a fully web hosted service in support of vital function.

Denso are a global supplier of automotive technology and have chosen Smartsuite to act as the hub for their operations in the Midlands. The primary requirement is to provide a platform to enable their Salary Sacrifice Scheme to operate across the site and enable staff to download funds either through Customer Service Points or Interactive Desk Top Readers. The system is then linked to their numerous point-of-sale and vending outlets.