This gives us smarter data, and with Web-based technology, we can get that to our member banks in real time,'' says Martin Izenson, a director in Visa's risk management and security group. Black box . The military developed much of this technology to help radar systems, for example, distinguish missiles from birds. In a period of just weeks or months, the value assumptions in the networks evolve and can no longer be analyzed with precision, even by the developers. Some of this really crosses the line into offensiveness,'' says Reidenberg.
Customers often appreciate the personalization on a Web site, or in a store.
But they bristle when they learn about the rankings that go with it. Mostly, people resented the snob factor,'' says Wild Oats spokesman Dan Hall. Driving home from work last fall, Seattle City Planner Terry Whittman stopped at a West Seattle Pizza Hut to pick up dinner, but before she could pay, a register clerk asked for her name, address, phone number, and pizza-topping preferences. When Whittman declined, the clerk refused to fill her order. It was absurd,'' says Whittman, who had offered to pay cash.