With the implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), accessibility for self-service solutions became a legal requirement. For SBS, however, this moment represented far more than a mere legal obligation — it marked a strategic turning point. Together with Raiffeisen, we seized the opportunity not only to enable accessibility but also to create the technological foundation for the future.

From Swing to a Modern HTML5 Interface

What originally began as part of the EAA implementation quickly evolved into a comprehensive technological shift. The previously used Swing-based GUIs were replaced with a powerful HTML5 interface.

The Numerous Benefits of HTML5

The new solution is faster, more modular and offers far greater design flexibility — from smoother workflows and flexible content placement to consistent brand presentation across all self-service devices.

A particularly important aspect was achieving visual and functional proximity to the bank’s online environment. With HTML5, the user interface could be aligned with Raiffeisen’s digital brand identity — an important step toward a consistent omnichannel experience.

“This project offered us a unique opportunity to leverage synergies and harmonize the user experience for Raiffeisen customers across all digital touchpoints. It was crucial to consider that operating a self-service device differs significantly from using a mobile phone. Thanks to the extensive experience and specialization of the SBS experts involved, we successfully achieved our goals of user-friendliness, accessibility and design harmonization.”

Martina GREINER, Product Portfolio Management, Raiffeisenlandesbank Upper Austria

Accessibility Fully Integrated

Even with the technological advancements, the legal framework of the EAA remained a central guiding principle. In collaboration with myAbility, blind associations and internal experts, concrete requirements were developed, tested, and embedded into the new interface.

Features such as full keypad navigation, text-to-speech functionality for all transactions, customizable font sizes and contrast-optimized views were integrated — not only on new devices but also deliberately on existing systems. This ensures accessibility consistently across all locations.

Unified Technology – Long-Term Benefits

The decision to move to a unified HTML5 platform delivers much more than an improved look and feel: it reduces long-term integration and maintenance efforts, accelerates future rollouts and simplifies the implementation of new functions.

The new interface impresses both technically and visually — offering an accessible user experience that goes beyond legal requirements.