How Digital Transformation is Changing ATM Management

As the ATM has just turned 50, the question begs, what has changed since the ATM was first invented? There are several changes to note, but just a few main ones are technological advances; including digital transformation and integration with consumer apps/smartphones. The cost of a single retail ATM has drastically come down, and the world surrounding ATM management is progressively more connected than it ever used to be. For the purposes of this blog post though, we’ll mainly focus on the digital transformation going on and what it means for managing ATMs in the realm of better digital access or app options for ATM users nationwide, coordinating tech logistics, and managing your connectivity.

Digital Access and ATM Management

At the National ATM Council conference this year the major retail ATM manufacturers (Hyosung, Genmega, and Triton) demonstrated a revolutionary app that will allow consumers the ability to utilize their smartphones and begin ATM transactions from the comfort of their own phone. Then, upon arrival at the ATM, consumers can verify their identity right at the ATM using secure biometric, touch ID/Face ID to complete their requested transaction. Many have been requesting a feature such as this for some time, but the progress of all the retail ATM manufacturers being involved shows just how big of a change this could be when managing an ATM in the digital era.

Tech Logistics

There were also new technologies displayed at the conference that allow ATM technicians to connect with Owner/Operators who need jobs completed all throughout the US and expand an operator's access to needed support and parts in different regions. Many companies may be able to expand on these technologies or further enhance the capabilities of RMS and other remote analytics to help keep ATM’s updated and safe from any other security threats. As the industry dives into the digital era, security will need an operator’s attention more and more as the threats from technology are sure to be prevalent as well.

OptConnect mylo & Summit

Along with these technological advances the industry saw demonstrated at the conference, OptConnect announced a new device called OptConnect mylo, which is on a specially-designed Cat M1 network, which is an ideal category for machine-to-machine communication like ATMs. In addition to being on that special category OptConnect mylo also has the ability to work with AT&T and Verizon. This device will report into OptConnect’s Summit user dashboard, that is also user friendly and adapts to whatever device you’re using such as a tablet, smartphone, or laptop or desktop computer. OptConnect is not relenting from its need to innovate and is constantly updating its technology, both from a hardware perspective as well as from its available software and support. Summit will report on several key connectivity factors and goes further than simply reporting signal strength, and online or offline statistics, but makes operator’s responsibilities easier by reporting things like signal quality, missed device health check-ins, and allowing operators the ability to receive alerts when there may be an issue with a particular device. With the new OptConnect mylo, operators will even be able to read into multi-carrier statistics for their device and check on how AT&T or Verizon perform in their deployed units. Summit is a powerful tool that can be utilized heavily by organizations large and small and is included at no additional cost to OptConnect customers. It will continuously help operators stay organized and keep up with the digital transformation wave in the ATM Industry and can also help you keep a leg up on your competition that may not see the value in staying organized and utilizing the latest technologies. For further information on OptConnect’s Summit or OptConnect mylo, please contact your account manager or give us a call at 1.877.678.3343.