If you were not able to attend the recent ETA annual conference, then you may have missed the introduction of a really attractive and potentially lucrative ATM device. This new device, the Nurit 5000, is designed in the U.S., by Lipman USA, Inc. The hardware, aside from being quite impressive technically, has the economics and support to bring ATM to a much larger audience than has been the case to date. At a time when many have thought that the ATM placement market was reaching saturation, I think this device will change this perception completely.
One could argue that 70,000 installations compared to anywhere from 300,00 to 800,000 potential off-site ATM locations isnít a saturated market, as some have suggested, but a market that is still in its infancy. Those industry estimates, however, assume a breakeven volume of 20 or more transaction each day per ATM. So, what happens when the breakeven drops to less than 10 transactions per day?
The answer is the NURIT 5000, a full-function, compact and high performance ATM at half the cost of existing ATMs. The secret is forgoing the expensive PC-based solution by combining the NURIT 2085 Plus terminal with the top line De La Rue cash dispenser, together in a sleek steel case. The 2085 combines a POS terminal, PINpad, and fast thermal printer in one unit. Simple installation and the ATMís ability to be maintained by a traditional swap or exchange driven POS terminal maintenance program significantly reduces maintenance related operating expenses. In addition, with merchants supplying the cash, total operating costs will be far less.
Lipman is aiming directly at the ISO industry and has teamed up with TASQ Technology for sales support and turnkey servicing. "When we placed ATMs at over 5,000 7-Eleven stores several years ago, the breakeven was ten times what is currently possible with the NURIT 5000," says David Garrett, EVP Lipman USA, Inc. "With surcharging, the low costs available now, and an ISO distribution channel, the market is wide open. For example, I was amazed to read that as of last year, there were only 500 ATMs installed in the over 42,000 hotels in the US."
In recent years, deployments have been driven by surcharge income (averaging $1.44 per transaction in 1997), lower ATM costs, and ISOs targeting the ATM market. Advertising space, coupons, and phone card dispensers at the ATM are now providing new income opportunities. This technology is now ready for integration into the bank and ISO sales channel. The NURIT 5000 is a complimentary product that can leverage additional revenue from existing merchants while creating new market opportunity. For more information about the product call TASQ at (800) 827-8297, ext. 4101 or e-mail Lipman USA, Inc., at nuritsys@lipmanusa.com.
