The first ATM in India was installed in 1987. Since then, it has passed through various phases of development. Very soon, we will witness the next transition phase of ATMs to self-service technologies.

NCR, the pioneers of ATM in India will soon launch self-service terminals in association with local partners for the rural masses. Scott Sobel, VP - Business Development and Government Affairs, NCR elaborates on the newest offering from NCR and plans to market the same in India.

Having introduced the concept of ATMs in India, how does NCR plan to use their operational experience while deploying the self-service technologies here?

What we have learnt overtime in India is to meet the specific mark of requirements. So to meet them, first around ruggability, the machines have rugged enclosures to mitigate the risks arising out of high amount of dust in rural areas and also the increased humidity in monsoon. Second is the usability, the ergonomics or the form factor of the terminals designed to navigate easily.

We have also learnt that the simpler the implementation and GUI, the greater the adoption. To overboard the challenge of frequent power-cuts, our products in India are programmed to complete the last transaction and the power management system in the machine maximises the up-time in the peak period and conserves the energy resulting in low power usage when it is in an idle stage. The machines are equipped to run even during floods as they are on wireless network.

How do you plan to overcome infrastructure and literacy challenges in rural India?

We are looking at various options to tackle the illiteracy issue. Firstly, we plan to implement the biometrics technique for authentication purposes, which would also serve as the customer’s pincode. Second is the simplest intuitive user navigation and use of graphical images, which will streamline the user through the use of the ATM. For instance, the ATMs will be empowered with the multi-lingual voice software having a guided voice in the respective regional languages to help the user complete the transaction.

How do you plan to market these terminals?

The approach would be to project self-service terminals as much more than ATMs. They would serve as multitasking devices capable of not only withdrawing and depositing cash, but also paying bills, buying bus and train tickets and availing of e-government information. So from a delivery point of view, we are developing the infrastructure and platform to support those devices and we will sell the services through appropriate partnerships as well.

What are the prominent features of the recently launched Wireless Connectivity Solution, Symstream II?

It has a unique IP that sends the data symbolically over the air through the GSM voice channel. The GSM voice channel provides the customers with reliability and security to provide a SLA for that. Another advantage about Systream is that it is two to three times faster than the lease line. It takes approximately six seconds for one transaction to complete i.e right after the card is punched in the ATM to the completion of the transaction.

Tell us something about NCR’s partnership with FINO.

It is in a conceptual phase and very critical to the availability of funds. Everybody talks about credit and providing loans. NCR’s partnership with FINO is going to work on developing a micro deposit machine to mobilise savings helping us to trace credit profiles, which will provide a high level of competence and confidence to banks and micro-finance institutions to provide loans to those individuals. Initially, we are targeting urban banks for those deployments.