Core Banking and Payments in a Sandbox: ARBES Technologies Lets Banks Test Solutions Before Implementation

Choosing a new banking system based only on presentations and feature lists is extremely difficult: integration limitations or the need for custom development often become apparent only during the project. That is why ARBES Technologies offers Sandbox as part of its pre-implementation assessment. Banks can use this environment to try out how a future solution will work in practice before deciding on the final scope of implementation. Sandbox connects ARBES OBS core banking, the ACI integration layer and the PTS payment system in a single end-to-end environment.

When problems emerge late

Choosing a core banking system today is about more than selecting a single system. A bank must also address digital onboarding, product and customer management, payments, integrations, regulatory requirements and continuous operations - and make sure everything works together.

When selecting a banking platform, part of the decision-making process traditionally relies on presentations, feature lists and demonstration scenarios. It may only become clear during implementation what works in practice and where custom development will be needed. ARBES Technologies therefore takes a different approach: first, it enables the bank to use its own scenarios to verify how the solution’s components work together in practice in the Sandbox environment, and only then to define the scope of implementation more precisely.

Core banking, integration and payments in one environment

The core banking part of the solution is ARBES OBS, which manages customers, accounts, deposits, loans and other banking products. The ARBES Core Integration (ACI) layer connects it to digital channels and other bank systems, with more than 650 pre-built APIs.

Payment operations are handled by PTS from Crede Experto, a subsidiary of ARBES Technologies. Among other capabilities, this payment hub supports domestic and SEPA payments, instant and cross-border payments, and the ISO 20022 standard. It runs 24/7, and its active installations currently process millions of transactions per day.

In the Sandbox environment, a bank can therefore go through the entire process, from customer onboarding and product setup to payment transaction processing.

What banks gain before implementation

The main benefit is straightforward: differences between standard functionality, configuration and necessary custom development can be identified during the GAP analysis - before the required changes affect the project schedule and budget.

What previously became apparent only during implementation can now be verified in advance. This gives the bank a more accurate estimate of the project scope, reduces the risk of later changes and provides a better basis for planning costs and resources.

The banking solution also supports requirements for auditability, AML/KYC processes, personal data protection and the ISO 20022 standard.

Sandbox as part of the pre-implementation phase

“Before a live implementation begins, a bank should know what is covered by the standard solution and where modifications will be needed. That is exactly what Sandbox can show very quickly, significantly improving the accuracy of the implementation scope and helping the bank assess its risks more effectively,” says Petr Červenka, CTO at ARBES Technologies.

ARBES Technologies uses Sandbox as part of its pre-implementation approach, whether for core banking modernisation or for building the infrastructure of new financial institutions. The company will continue to develop Sandbox in response to changing integration, payment and regulatory requirements.