Cloud-based ATM solutions

ATM operators have been faced for decades with costly hardware upgrades to their self-service devices on a regular basis every few years. Triggers for these hardware upgrades are usually the switching to a new version of the Windows operating system. With the change of the operating system older processor generations in PCs, which are installed in the ATM, are no longer supported and must, therefore, be upgraded with a newer processor generation. Changing to a newer version of the Windows operating system will be necessary because Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for older versions of Windows after a defined time.

The SBS approach

The SBS approach proposes that future ATM architectures will provide for a strict separation between the ATM-specific hardware and the customer's process control or business logic. That means, SBS implements a decoupling of its ATM solution from the ATM hardware so that the SBS solution can be used on other computer systems and / or other operating systems that enable secure operation more easily and without hardware upgrades. The decoupling can be done in different variants.

Cloud-based approach

On the Personal Computer in the ATM, an operating system is installed, which allows to operate a minimal software stack, which essentially ensures only that all the data from the hardware components of the ATM safely transported to a central location and processed by this. The display of the screen contents takes place at the ATM by means of a terminal emulation, likewise supplied with data from a central location. The central server then houses the operating system on which the ATM application is usually used. Since the processor in the PC of the ATM is independent of the central processor used in the cloud system, changing the ATM application to a newer Windows version does not require an upgrade of the processing unit. However, the software stack remaining on the ATM must be hardened accordingly to be able to fend off potential attacks from the outside.

Dual OS approach

As a special feature of the cloud-based approach, the two operating systems are located in the PC of the self-service device. The first operating system accommodates the minimal software stack and provides the communication of the PC with the hardware components of the ATM, as stated above. A second operating system in the same PC houses the ATM application and, as stated above, can simply be updated with a new operating system version, as long as a special software in the ATM's PC is able to simulate the required processor.

This approach will not be possible for all self-service devices, since older devices in particular will not be able to process the operations of two operating systems at the same speed as it is necessary to guarantee an end-user-friendly operation of an ATM.

SBS will progressively develop its software products to support these environments, and work with ATM manufacturers and their customers to develop production-ready solutions that will continue to ensure the operation of a self-service device with innovative features and efficiency.

Further Information

Would you like more information on the issue of "cost reduction through cloud-based self-service solutions"? Please send us your request to info@sbs.co.at.