C A S E S T U DY

1© 2009 NetWorld Alliance LLC | Sponsored by The DPL Group

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Wireless Connectivity Key to Increased Profits, Security

Access to Money wanted a reliable and affordable way to reduce installation and operational costs associated with

landlines, while also increasing flexibility for machine placement and enhancing security. A wireless solution

from the DPL Group was the answer.

By Missy BaxterContributing writer,ATMmarketplace.com

The players

Access to Money, based in Cherry Hill, N.J., has provided ATM-related services to retailers and financial institutions for more than 25 years and currently manages about 12,000 ATMs throughout the United States.

The DPL Group, founded in 1974, is a Saint John, New Brunswick, Canadian-based technology company that introduced several new ATM products in 2009, including the Hercules+, which provides two-way cellular communication that allows ATM owners and operators to remotely manage machines while also meeting PCI compliance requirements.

The challenge

With a current network of 12,000 ATMs and continuing expansion, Access to Money wanted a feasible, reliable, affordable way to reduce installation and operational costs associated with landlines, while also increasing flexibility for machine placement and enhancing security.

“In some places, there’s just no access to any landline, which really limits the creative locations where you can place ATMs, including some spots that could be the most profitable,” said Ralph Depp, vice president of national sales for Access to Money. “Even if there is access to a landline, sometimes it takes days or weeks to get one installed, depending on which phone company you’re dealing with. Plus, there’s usually a lot of paperwork and the fees can really add up.”

Even if the expense and time spent to install a landline and service an ATM seems worthwhile, landlines can have other downfalls. During incidents such as ram raids, which have skyrocketed in recent years, landlines can be severed, cutting off communication when it is needed most. Whether an ATM is located at a remote site or inside a mall,

“In some places, there’s just no access to any landline, which really limits the creative

locations where you can place ATMs, including some spots that could be the most profitable.”

— Ralph Depp, vice president of national sales, Access to Money

Wireless Connectivity Key to Increased Profits, Security

2© 2009 NetWorld Alliance LLC | Sponsored by The DPL Group

all machines are at risk. When crime does strike, many ATM alerts fail because they are tied to landline communications.

In addition, visiting sites to service ATMs consumes considerable manpower and fuel, which slashes profits and could increase the risk of crime.

Although not prompted by any specific incidents, Depp says, Access to Money recognized the benefits of using technology that would allow remote management of ATMs and ensure that emergency alerts would be sent, even if a machine was compromised and a landline severed.

With the emergence of data security requirements, Access to Money also recognized the importance of implementing secure solutions that would help achieve compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

The solution

For Access to Money, the answer was wireless connectivity and DPL’s Hercules+ product, which is touted for its flexibility, reliability and enhanced security features.

Not only can the Hercules+ be installed on any ATM, but the device’s two-way communication system allows around-the-clock management and remote monitoring through Windows-based software that allows two-way communications between the ATM and a centrally located database.

“The Hercules+ is definitely the easiest solution for remote management software,” Depp said. “It is truly a plug-and-play system, very easy to install and operate.”

Increased flexibility is an advantage for

deployers. For instance, if a particular ATM location doesn’t work out, the ATM may be moved without incurring telephone line re-installation charges and delays.

“The fact that it’s not terminal-ID specific means it offers a lot more flexibility, especially for mobile applications such as placing ATMs at special events,” Depp said.

For extra security, the Hercules+ includes an optional antitheft alert module that provides alerts in the form of text messages to cell phones and/or e-mails if physical tampering has been indicated, such as the machine being tilted, a door opened or the power disconnected. A battery backup ensures alarms are activated even if the power has been cut.

Another important factor: the Hercules+ is designed to help ATM owners and operators quickly demonstrate compliance with PCI DSS. Even though DPL products and services are not directly subject to PCI security standards, as a steward of security, the company has designed the Hercules+ and other products to support clients in the payment industry that must comply with PCI security standards.

A wireless solution from DPL helped Access to Money increase security and flexibility in ATM placement.

Wireless Connectivity Key to Increased Profits, Security

3© 2009 NetWorld Alliance LLC | Sponsored by The DPL Group

Hercules+ meets, and even exceeds, PCI DSS Requirement 4, which mandates encryption of cardholder data transmitted over open, public networks using strong cryptography and protocols to protect and render the data unreadable by any unauthorized person. In addition, Hercules+ utilizes a process that contributes an added level of PCI assurance by rendering all of the data unreadable by an unauthorized person.

The results

For Access to Money, installing Hercules+ has proven to be a win-win situation, Depp says, with a substantial savings of money and time.

With Hercules+, there is no line installation fee and no installation delay time. Monthly fees average about $25 for a Hercules+, about half the price of a monthly charge for a landline, Depp says. Long-distance charges also are eliminated because DPL uses a VPN connection, allowing ISOs to reduce the per-transaction fee.

Wireless connectivity eliminates the risk of a landline being cut and ensures that failure alerts are better communicated. Safety and convenience also are boosted by the ability to remotely manage and monitor machines, which reduces the number of in-person visits to service each ATM.

Depp says DPL’s decades of experience and service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, were key factors in Access to Money’s selection of the Hercules+ products.

“We shopped around extensively and decided on the Hercules+ because we know that DPL has an outstanding reputation for its products and service,” Depp said. “Being able to monitor your machines remotely at any time really provides a lot of peace of mind.”

About the sponsor: Established in 1974 and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, The DPL Group is a technology-based company. The company sells products in the telecommunications field, and also has successfully developed wireless products for use in ATMs. For more information, visit www.dpl.ca or call 1.800.561.8880.

With the Hercules+, fees are about half the price of a landline and long distance charges are eliminated, allowing ISOs to

reduce the per-transaction fee.