The development of ASI needs to be seen within the context of the expectations of the envisioned future of the directors who confirm their vision for the future of ASI by the following: -

In the coming decade we envisage an operating environment for the company that is more open and global in nature. It will be characterized by higher mobility of firms within the EU, to take advantage of niche markets that will emerge, particularly in Europe and in other parts of the world, such as Eastern Europe and the Far East.

We see that within this timeframe Internet based transactions will become the norm, with a whole range of financial and commercial transactions passing through this medium. Existing technologies will continue to converge and new technologies will emerge to make this channel and its derivatives more effective, reliable and secure in delivering content.

There will be a wide range of hardware solutions that allow users always-on-any-place access. The convergence of data, voice and IT technologies will see a stronger development of such tools that will facilitate international living and lifestyle. It will have a major impact on world currencies, with key currencies such as the US$, the EU’s € and Chinese RMB being reinforced and with the ensuing demise of many older but less used currencies. There will be a greater internationalization of laws and regulations creating more scope for international services by small businesses.

The concept of using physical cash to acquire everyday goods and services, will become less popular in more diverse locations, with new technologies emerging that will provide personalized and increasingly secure access to financial and other resources through Internet based technologies.

Within this future, we see the role of the ASI as being to focus on developing its range of customized solutions and its international network to serve niche markets internationally. By using its highly customizable payment and processing solutions and a strong product development and product distribution network, ASI can provide solutions that will serve as the basic building block of a whole range of customer focused services for clients. These services will add value to the clients and their customers, thereby providing sustainable levels of profitability to all partners in the service delivery chain.