Whether you own / operate a small lobby ATM or a large fleet of bank-grade ATMs, your machine(s) needs periodic, preventive maintenance – just like your car.
ATMs collect dust over time, and human interactions with card readers and keypads can transfer dirt, grime, and oil from hands onto the machine. Ink and oil residues from cash, which soil rubber parts in the bill pathways, can build up over time. And depending on the location, rodents can sometimes get in and make a home inside the ATM – causing havoc. Additionally, software and communication protocol changes require ATMs to be updated from time to time.
Why Preventive Maintenance is Important
Preventive maintenance can reduce downtime, ensuring your ATMs have a longer life span and make it more appealing to users – increasing transactions. No one wants to use a dirty, dingy ATM. Keeping the outside of the machine clean certainly makes it more attractive to customers; building trust and preventing the transferring of germs from person to person. Taking care of the inside of the machine reduces downtime due to transaction failures and bill jams. And ensuring the software is updated on a timely basis keeps it safe from criminals and running smoothly.
An Ounce of Prevention…
You’ve probably heard the old proverb “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Taking the time on a regular basis to keep your ATM(s) clean – inside and out – and software up to date is a worthwhile proactive measure that will prevent problems in the long run. Plus, let’s face it. ATMs are expensive. Preventive maintenance will help extend the life span of the machine.
While it’s easy to clean the outside of an ATM and it can be done by anyone. Professional maintenance is more complex.
It typically includes:
Performing a functional check of all the peripherals
Review of the diagnostics error history to check for trouble spots
Inspecting and testing of each component
Cleaning all components
Any repairs that might be needed
Upgrading the software and communication protocols
Depending on the complexity and size of the ATM, doing preventive maintenance can take as little as an hour for a lobby unit with low-transaction numbers to six or eight hours for a large drive-up unit with check deposit and other features.
While this may seem like a daunting and time-consuming task, most manufacturers recommend it be done once every six months or in some cases annually. If the ATM is in a high-traffic location or outside, it may need to be done more often.
But the good news is you don’t have to do it yourself. ATM USA can offers this service for retailers and financial institutions that own and operate their own ATM(s). If you have a turn-key retail ATM, financial institution ATM outsourcing or managed service program it is included. Or if you really want to do it yourself, our service team can guide you through the process.
ATM USA Technical Support
1-877-260-2931