The ATM Forum

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The ATM Forum

• Carey Williamson
• Department of Computer Science
• University of Calgary

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ATM Forum

• The ATM Forum is a standards body of vendors of
  ATM products and services
• Mostly industrial organizations, but some
  research institutions are members as well
• Initially half a dozen member companies
• Now well over 700 member companies
• URL http//www.atmforum.com

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ATM Forum (Contd)

• ATM Forum has a very aggressive timeline,much
  more so than the official ITU standards body
• Meets every 18 weeks or so
• Short term product focus
• Trying to influence standards for ATM equipment
  being deployed or designed

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ATM Forum (Contd)

• Many proposals come before the Forum, from
  companies as well as researchers
• Proposals discussed, evaluated at length
• Membership vote majority rules
• Fast moving standards process
• Results and decisions disseminate into the
  research community very quickly