You’ve been tasked with buying or replacing an ATM at your financial institution. Easy enough, right? Just pick one out, get it installed, and go about your business. If only it were that simple.
Having been in this industry for years, I've seen more ATM installations go sideways than I care to count. It’s never as simple as the sales pitch makes it sound. But the good news is it doesn't have to be complicated if you have the right guidance from the start. That’s exactly why we created our new ATM Installation Checklist: to save you the headaches we’ve seen too often.But before you dive into the checklist itself, we want to share some words of wisdom around two critical junctures in this project that you’ll want to give careful consideration to:
Questions to ask yourself before you make your decision as to what ATM equipment you will buy. Yes, this is supposed to be an efficient purchase and installation process, but there are three questions you should take a moment to ask yourself.
How to vet potential ATM installation partners, because you shouldn’t have to go through this process alone… and working directly with a vendor may not always be the most advantageous move.
When buying or replacing an ATM, you might think hardware is your biggest concern. And yes, it matters, but what matters even more is asking the right strategic questions upfront.
Here are some key things you absolutely need to consider:
Before holes are cut or equipment is ordered, have you thought through who will handle cash loading and maintenance? Skipping these questions is how budgets get blown and timelines fall apart.
The market shifts constantly, and brand loyalty from 15 years ago might be costing you more today than you realize. Maybe Debbold was great once upon a time, but today's market is different. This is the perfect time to reevaluate your vendor relationships. Don't just assume what worked before is still best.
Deposits at ATMs have become a standard expectation. Even if historically your customers didn’t use certain features, don't underestimate shifts in customer behavior. Every year, your customer's expectations evolve. Are you ready to meet them?
When buying an ATM, the choice of partner can be the difference between a seamless rollout or an expensive mess. Here are critical questions to ask:
Many financial institutions assume installation is straightforward: order, plug, play. The truth is, effective project management requires far more. Will your partner handle coordination with third-party providers, network setup, and cut confirmations? Or will you end up managing multiple points of contact? At QDS, we handle all the heavy lifting, giving you a single, clear chain of accountability.
After the installation, do you have a clear plan for training staff and supporting your new hardware? There's a big difference between receiving an ATM and knowing how to manage it day-to-day. Our internal QDS support team ensures your team is trained, empowered, and ready to go.
The true test of a vendor is when something breaks. Do they have proactive monitoring? Can you reach a real person quickly? At QDS, we pride ourselves on proactive managed services that often identify issues before our clients do. We have dedicated technicians who are local and responsive, making sure you're never left waiting.
I understand buying an ATM isn't the most thrilling purchase you'll ever make. But done right, it’s a strategic investment that directly impacts customer satisfaction and your team's operational effectiveness.
Our ATM Installation Checklist includes:
Planning & Strategy Questions: Make sure you’ve thought through all strategic aspects, from ATM type to loading responsibilities.
Site & Security Readiness: A detailed review ensuring your site is truly ready for a seamless installation.
Third-Party Coordination: Essential guidance to keep every vendor aligned, saving you from costly miscommunications.
Go-Live Readiness: A comprehensive checklist to ensure every detail (from alarms and cameras to cash loading) is set for launch day .
This checklist isn’t a hard sell. It’s our commitment to your success, whether you ultimately partner with QDS or not. We provide it because we believe educated financial institutions make better decisions… decisions that serve their customers better.
We’re here to empower you because your success truly is our success.