The United Kingdom’s cash machine network, LINK, has this week became the 250th company to join ATMIA’s global Consortium for Next Generation ATMs, a project aimed at linking the world’s ATMs to billions of mobile phones as the primary means of transacting in future.
“There is a pleasing symmetry to welcoming LINK as the 250th company to join this powerful future-proofing exercise because this is the national ATM network for the country where the world’s first ATM was installed just over 50 years ago,” commented Mike Lee, CEO of ATMIA and the Consortium’s chairperson. “It’s time to reinvent the ATM for the next generation of consumers and I’m delighted to have LINK with us on this journey into the future – their expertise, experience and guidance will add depth and creativity to this industry movement.”
ATMIA formed the Consortium in 2017, following industry preparations for the 2020 migration to a Windows 10 operating system for ATMs. Members expressed an interest in a new kind of vendor-agnostic ATM ecosystem which could create rich customer experiences for ATM users.
“LINK is keen to support innovation to improve the customer experience at ATMs and is excited to be participating in the ATMIA Next Gen ATM project,” said John Howells, CEO of LINK.
The project is working on its blueprint for a new API App model for ATMs, which was launched at ATMIA Europe’s annual conference in Madrid in October last year. Today, the Consortium’s membership includes banks, Independent ATM Deployers (IADs), credit unions, manufacturers, software suppliers, cash in transit operators, consultancies, network processors, card brands, industry associations, central banks and security solutions providers.
“It is particularly pleasing to welcome LINK to this game-changing project,” commented Ron Delnevo, Executive Director of ATMIA Europe. “ATM Networks such as LINK have a vital role to play in the development and implementation of the ATM innovations needed to safeguard the public’s access to cash and many other banking services. As bank branches close, ATMs must be able to fill the customer-service vacuum.”
Companies wishing to join the Consortium for Next Gen ATMs should contact Mike at mike@atmia.com