Digital banking services have reduced the need for in-person visits, as consumers can check balances, transfer funds, make deposits, and apply for loans online, among other activities. However, bank leaders want to leverage their physical footprint to draw consumers back to the branch.
Inside branches, bank staff can provide personalized advice, help consumers navigate complex services, and cross-sell or upsell products. Meanwhile, banks can use advanced technology in branches, such as beacons that push relevant marketing offers to consumers’ smartphones or augmented reality applications, which enable consumers to explore services in new ways.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) serve as a powerful lure to keep consumers returning to the branch. In fact, there are more than 3.2 million of them worldwide. While ATMs have been around for more than 50 years, this technology is undergoing significant innovation. Here are some exciting features that next-generation ATMs offer:
• Providing a smartphone-style experience: Consumers can use ATM touchscreens and pinch and zoom to adjust screen resolution. In addition, they can authenticate transactions using their phones, QR codes, or facial recognition.
• Streamlining transactions: Newer-model ATMs offer integrated document scanning, live video teller support, and personalized cash withdrawal recommendations. These features streamline cash dispensing and enable consumers to get help if they need it. Going a step further, consumers can use banking apps on their smartphones to pre-stage transactions, tap phones against ATMs, and receive cash, without ever inserting a card.
• Offering universal cash access and deposits: Other capabilities coming to ATMs include the ability to request a cash deposit via a credit card and pick it up at any ATM or make a deposit at any ATM for a specific bank.
• Conducting more activities via touchscreens: Next-generation ATMs can also enable consumers to complete activities such as paying their income taxes and bills by inserting statements and cash. Consumers can also apply for loans via ATMs. Since ATMs connect to banks’ customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, consumers can receive an offer within seconds.
Bank Branches Will Have a Larger IT Footprint
All of these new capabilities increase technology at the branch, from the servers and networking devices that support new customer-facing digital services, to ATMs, which require ongoing maintenance and servicing.
Unplanned downtime can harm the customer experience and revenues, from services that go unsold to lost ATM fee income. Banks typically charge transaction fees to non-customers and higher fees on international currency withdrawals, creating a reliable source of revenue.
However, managing a larger technology footprint at edge sites presents significant challenges. Bank branches are lean operations, with customer-facing staff and no onsite IT support. As a result, banks hire local service providers to maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot ATMs and other devices. That means incurring costs for these services, which cover truck rolls and technicians taking ATMs out of service, opening them up, and reimaging them or making other repairs.
What if there were a simpler approach to managing branch technology? What if IT staff could handle most server and ATM maintenance remotely, without needing to hire vendors to drive out to sites and physically handle devices?
Bank IT Teams Need Simple, Secure Solutions to Manage ATM and Branch Technology
With Vertiv technology, remote management of branch technology is indeed possible. IT teams can use the Vertiv™ Avocent® ADX MP1000 Management Platform and Vertiv™ Avocent® ADX IPIQ IP KVMs or Vertiv™ Avocent® ADX IPUHD 4K IP KVMs to remotely connect to and control ATM and branch devices to troubleshoot and update them. The benefits of using this approach include:
• Streamlining and simplifying operations: Instead of overseeing complex ATM maintenance programs and logistics, with contractors in every community, IT teams can insource most operations. They can update, reimage, and troubleshoot devices remotely, avoiding the need to travel onsite to complete these duties. The Vertiv Avocent ADX MP1000 Management Platform supports more than 100 simultaneous remote users, meaning that banks could likely equip an internal IT service management group with one to a few of these platforms to maintain branch technology.
• Improve equipment uptime: IT teams can remotely access and manage branch devices on a 24/7 basis, improving their availability. In the event of an issue, IT personnel can begin work immediately, rather than waiting hours or days for a vendor to arrive.
• Reduce OpEx and CapEx costs: IT teams can use the Vertiv Avocent ADX MP1000 Management Platform to service branch devices proactively and extend their lifespans. They also can reduce costs such as vendor maintenance contracts, truck rolls, emergency visit surcharges, and more.
• Gaining a highly scalable solution: The Vertiv Avocent ADX MP1000 Management Platform is a secure remote IT management It provides a common, all-digital architecture with open standards and APIs that can easily be scaled across bank branches and devices.
• Connecting to any device: Vertiv provides flexible connectors that meet different needs. The Vertiv Avocent ADX IPIQ IP KVM is a zero-U device that provides plug-and-play connectivity to IT devices, enhanced video resolution, and end-to-end encryption of all traffic. With its small form factor and cost-effective price point, Vertiv Avocent ADX IPIQ IP KVM is an ideal option for IT teams who want to remotely access and control an extensive number of IT devices across branches.
The Vertiv Avocent ADX IPHUHD 4K IP KVM device is a great choice for IT teams executing activities that require fine detail, such as testing servers and other hardware. With 4K resolution, IT teams can improve their productivity and reduce work strain.
Simplify Branch Technology Management With Vertiv
Banks are using technology to evolve their branch experience, from the next-generation ATM devices that simplify cash dispensing to the servers, networking technology, and business applications that power digital services inside.
IT teams can use the Vertiv™ Avocent® ADX Platform to remotely monitor, control, upgrade, and troubleshoot these essential devices. The Vertiv Avocent ADX MP1000 Management Platform provides IT teams with greater clarity and control and the ability to scale operations across sites. Meanwhile, Vertiv Avocent ADX IPIQ IP KVMs and Vertiv Avocent ADX IPUHD 4K IP KVMs provide IT teams with flexible ways to remotely connect to and manage devices.
Vertiv Avocent ADX technology helps IT teams deliver a digital branch experience that serves more customers, improves their satisfaction, and boosts revenues.
