The latest technology popping up in credit unions seems almostas futuristic as Star Trek's holodeck.

Imagine having a real-time conversation with a life-size, 3Dimage of a credit union expert who can answer questions abouteverything from car loans to savings rates. Plus, throw intheater-quality sound and eye contact.

That might sound a bit like science fiction, but members at the$194 million MidUSACredit Union in Middletown, Ohio, will soon be able to tapinto telepresence video communication, which utilizes 3D technologyand real-time video to enable members to engage in virtual meetingswith credit union staff in different locations, said James Miles,president & CEO of the 17,900-member MidUSA.

Miles said MidUSA recentlyinked a deal with Naples, Fla.-based Buffalo Pacific LLC to becomethe first credit union in the United States to deployhigh-definition 3D OmniSuite technology. The manufacturingpartner is Plano, Texas-based Telepresence TechnologiesLLC.

“The real-time 3D video communications experiences transmittedthrough the OmniSuites are of such quality that they appear to bereal life and they give members the feeling of sitting across thedesk from our expert staff,” Miles explained.

(Click on photo at left to see enlargedimage.)

“With this technology, we will be able to improve the level ofservice that we have to our members,” he said. “For example, if amember walks into an office, they want to conduct business rightthen, rather than scheduling an appointment for later. Thistechnology will allow members in any branch to immediately talkwith the MidUSA expert they need.”

Miles said MidUSA is in the process of installing OmniSuites inits Kettering and Middletown Plaza branches

The credit union's decision to deploy the innovative technologywas based on increasing member demand for convenience and consumerconfidence in video technologies such as Skype and Google Hangouts,Miles added.

Although video conferences provide some benefits, Miles said, they don'toffer members the same type of experience and engagement providedby OmniSuite's technology, which features enhanced audio and videofidelity, compared to typical video conferencing.

“The OmniSuite technology provides a member experience that ismagical and timely,” Miles said. “We think this technology isespecially exciting for our members who work with our investmentand mortgage experts.

“This will give MidUSA the ability to better serve our memberswith the various subject matter experts we have on staff, andremove the obstacles of time and travel.”

Miles said MidUSA will begin testing OmniSuite with theirinvestment adviser and also plans to use the technology tocommunicate with employees and to educate members.

“This will allow the investment advisor to have less down timethan they would if they were driving during the business daybetween our six offices to meet customers,” he said. “We can alsouse it to conduct mortgage workshops and other educational programsfor members.

David Allen, chairman and CEO of Buffalo Pacific, said thatselecting MidUSA to launch the state-of-the-art OmniSuitetechnology was a natural because he is a member of MidUSA andfamiliar with their operation.

“MidUSA is rightfully excited to be the first credit union inthe country to deploy the OmniSuite technology as it has the powerto completely rewrite the member experience in branch by providinga virtual “presence” of MidUSA experts, which truly createsboundless relationships,” he said. “OmniSuite technology allowscredit unions to enhance relationship value and depth while betterutilizing staff and location resources.

Allen, who is credited on Wikipedia asa pioneer of telepresence technology, said the OmniSuite technologyutilizes six registered U.S. patents, and is designed to createpersonalized relationships between a credit union and itsmembers.

Unlike video conferencing online from a laptop, Allen said,telepresence technology offers many benefits such as virtualfull-eye contact and life-sized images with theater qualitysound.

“Other technologies are good at showing you the person, but atelepresence allows the person to physically be in the room,” headded. “With full-eye contact, trust is developed and soon themember feels as if a routine conversation is occurring right acrossthe desk. It's a member experience like no other and allowsthe credit union expert to deliver on-demand service.”