Computer driven simulator and optimizer for distributed capture implementation

1. A computer-implemented method to simulate and analyze financial aspects of implementation of a plan to convert existing depository locations of a banking institution to distributed capture technology, the method comprising operations of:

establishing simulation parameters defining selected aspects of the plan;

establishing simulation assumptions prescribing expected values of certain data that is outside control of the banking institution and likely to have an influence on said financial aspects;

collecting predefined existing data from predetermined sources;

loading data into calculators programmed to calculate predicted cost savings and cost expenditures resulting from implementation of the plan, the loaded data comprising: the collected existing data, the simulation parameters, and the simulation assumptions;

performing, using a computing device, an iterative simulation process, comprising:

the calculators computing current results for an interim date or period based upon presently loaded data;

storing the current results and loading the current results into the calculators for use as presently loaded data for a next interim date;

repeating the calculating operation and the storing operation until the interim date or period reaches a prescribed end date or period;

according to results of the iterative simulation process, performing optimization operations including:

preparing a list of recommended depository locations for future implementation of distributed capture technology; and

ranking the recommended depository locations according to predetermined criteria:

ranking savings by depository location;

ranking savings by ground route fed by multiple depository locations; and

ranking savings by air route fed by multiple ground routes; and

an output dashboard providing a human readable output including a user selectable portion of the stored results and selected depository locations.

2. The method of claim 1 , where each of the depository locations comprises one of the following:

branch, automated teller machine, cash vault, lockbox.

3. The method of claim 1 , where the calculators comprise spreadsheets.

4. The method of claim 1 , the calculators comprising each of:

a first calculator computing volumes of check and automated teller machine (ATM) activity for an interim date or period;

a second calculator computing expenses for alternative transportation due to transportation removed because of existing depository locations of the banking institution converted to distributed capture technology;

a third calculator computing savings achieved by centrally processing checks;

a fourth calculator computing savings achieved by reducing float time of checks;

a fifth calculator computing costs of preparing image replacement documents;

a sixth calculator computing costs of ATM transportation;

a seventh calculator computing savings achieved by applying distributed capture to ATMs;

an eighth calculator computing costs of implementing capture technology including at least labor and computing equipment costs;

a ninth calculator aggregating computations from some or all of the other calculators.

5. The method of claim 1 , the calculators comprising at least one of:

a first calculator computing volumes of check and automated teller machine (ATM) activity for an interim date or period;

a second calculator computing expenses for alternative transportation due to transportation removed because of existing depository locations of the banking institution converted to distributed capture technology;

a third calculator computing savings achieved by centrally processing checks;

a fourth calculator computing savings achieved by reducing float time of checks;

a fifth calculator computing costs of preparing image replacement documents;

a sixth calculator computing costs of ATM transportation;

a seventh calculator computing savings achieved by applying distributed capture to ATMs;

an eighth calculator computing costs of implementing capture technology including at least labor and computing equipment costs;

a ninth calculator aggregating computations from some or all of the other calculators.

6. The method of claim 1 , the parameters including each of:

a parameter prescribing a predetermined conversion order for depository locations;

a parameter prescribing that specified depository location never undergo conversion;

a parameter specifying that conversion is delayed for one or more of the following: one or more specified depository locations, all depository locations of one or more specified regions, all depository locations of one or more specified selected states;

a parameter limiting conversion to positive business cases;

a parameter specifying to perform conversion of all depository locations as to transactions of five items of less, but to perform full conversion for a, depository location only if there exists a positive business case;

a parameter specifying a maximum expenditure for overall conversion;

a parameter specifying a maximum number of total conversions;

a parameter specifying one of the following: a maximum number of monthly conversions, a maximum number of monthly conversions by distributed capture channel.

7. The method of claim 1 , the parameters including each of the following:

a parameter specifying a change in image exchange ramp-up calendar;

a parameter specifying a deposited check volume growth and decline rates by year;

a parameter specifying item processing exception rates;

a parameter specifying an image exchange ramp-up forecast;

a parameter specifying image replacement document costs;

a parameter specifying image replacement document tier ratios;

a parameter specifying severance costs;

a parameter specifying distributed capture hardware and software costs;

a parameter specifying average dollar value of checks;

a parameter specifying transportation cost increases or decreases;

a parameter specifying a federal funds rate.

8. The method of claim 1 , the assumptions comprising assumptions as to each of:

transportation cost;

productivity rates;

check volumes;

work mix;

operations division financial data.

9. A computer-implemented method to simulate and analyze financial aspects of implementation of a plan to convert existing depository locations of a banking institution to distributed capture technology, the method comprising steps of:

a step for establishing simulation parameters defining selected aspects of the plan;

a step for establishing simulation assumptions prescribing expected values of certain data that is outside control of the banking institution and likely to have an influence on said financial aspects;

a step for collecting predefined existing data from predetermined sources;

a step for loading data into calculators programmed to calculate predicted cost savings and cost expenditures resulting from implementation of the plan, the loaded data comprising: the collected existing data, the simulation parameters, and the simulation assumptions;

a step for performing, using a computing device, an iterative simulation process, comprising:

the calculators computing current results for an interim date or period based upon presently loaded data;

storing the current results and loading the current results into the calculators for use as presently loaded data for a next interim date;

repeating the calculating operation and the storing operation until the interim date or period reaches a prescribed end date or period;

a step for, according to results of the iterative simulation process, performing optimization operations including:

preparing a list of recommended depository locations for future implementation of distributed capture technology; and

ranking the recommended depository locations according to predetermined criteria:

ranking savings by depository location;

ranking savings by ground route fed by multiple depository locations; and

ranking savings by air route fed by multiple ground routes; and

a step for an output dashboard providing a human readable output including a user selectable portion of the stored results and selected depository locations.

10. A computer-implemented apparatus to simulate and analyze financial aspects of implementation of a plan to convert existing depository locations of a banking institution to distributed capture technology, the apparatus comprising:

a processor executing code stored on digital data storage;

digital data storage containing simulation parameters defining selected aspects of the plan;

digital data storage containing simulation assumptions prescribing expected values of certain data that is outside control of the banking institution and likely to have an influence on said financial aspects;

digital data storage containing predefined existing data from predetermined sources;

a gathering device programmed to perform operations including loading data into calculators programmed to calculate predicted cost savings and cost expenditures resulting from implementation of the plan, the loaded data comprising: the collected existing data, the simulation parameters, and the simulation assumptions;

calculators and an optimizer programmed to cooperatively perform an iterative simulation process, comprising:

the calculators computing current results for an interim date or period based upon presently loaded data;

storing the current results and loading the current results into the calculators for use as presently loaded data for a next interim date;

repeating the calculating operation and the storing operation until the interim date or period reaches a prescribed end date or period;

the optimizer further programmed to perform optimization operations according to results of the iterative simulation process, said optimization operations including:

preparing a list of recommended depository locations for future implementation of distributed capture technology; and

ranking the recommended depository locations according to a net financial impact, including:

first ranking savings by depository location;

second ranking savings by ground route fed by multiple depository locations;

third ranking savings by air route fed by multiple ground routes; and

selecting one of the first, second, and third rankings that results in highest cost savings; and

an output dashboard providing a human readable output including a user selectable portion of the stored results and selected depository locations.