Big news: This year's most-read blog posts

Now that the year is coming to a close, we can look back and see what stories have gotten the most attention over the last 12 months. Contactless cards, ATM security, Windows 10 and bitcoin ATMs were among some of the more popular topics. Here is a run up of the top 10 most read blog post on ATM Marketplace in 2019. 

10. McDonalds hack sends a wakeup call to kiosk, ATM deployers alike

Earlier this year, a YouTube video showed two Australians tricking a McDonald's restaurant kiosk into giving them free food. That may sound like small French-fried potatoes in the ATM world, but the incident highlighted the importance of taking even the simplest steps to safeguard kiosks and ATMs against logical attacks. Andrew Savala, CEO of RedSwimmer, a kiosk development company, walks us through the basic ways ATM operators can protect themselves.

9. Fanfare and a drumroll accompany the debut of NCR Silver One

On a perfect day in April, at its Atlanta headquarters, NCR rolled out Silver One, an all-in-one point-of-sale solution that integrates payment acceptance, processing and back-office management. A Samsung-designed Quantum tablet serves as a sleek customer-facing point-of-sale device. 

8. Bitcoin ATMs — Why Vancouver doesn't want them

We've been hearing a lot this year about bitcoin ATMs and the convenience they bring to buying cryptocurrency. But in Canada, not everyone is a fan. A lack of regulatory oversight in the country has made it a little too easy for criminal elements to anonymously send funds across borders using the self-service devices, and the Mayor of Vancouver wants them banned. 

7. Fearless Forecast: The ATM industry in 2019

Now that the year is coming to a close, it is interesting to look back and see what predictions proved true. In January 2019, Daryl Cornell, the CEO of Triton, took his best guess at where the industry was headed. Was he on track or completely off the mark? Read his blog post to find out. 

6. ATM physical attacks. Why armor isn't enough

Where there is cash, thieves are bound to come. U.K.-based Spinnaker specializes in cash protection systems and asset tracking technology. At the beginning of the year, ATM Marketplace chatted with Richard Sokl, the company's marketing manager, about ATM physical attacks and the best way to deter them.  

5. The future of cards, contactless and biometrics in payments

Card payments have steadily risen in the last two decades, but innovation for the card has slowed since the launch of contactless more than 10 years ago. What's the value in updating the card further? Thomas Rex, senior vice president at Fingerprints, a Swedish biometrics company, shares his thoughts. 

4. Contactless cash cards and the future of ATMs

Like a lot of people, Steve Gilde, director of global product marketing at Paragon Application Systems, doesn't carry too much cash around anymore. In this popular July blog post, he shares his thoughts on the evolving payments landscape and how ATMs need to adapt. 

3. Why FIs should resolve to outsource their ATMs in 2019

Rather than continue to struggle with terminal upgrades and updates, management and repair, many FIs are learning that ATM outsourcing presents a fiscally sound and sensibly time-saving alternative to owning and operating their own fleet. Yonas Marcos, president and CEO at Star Financial Services, points out the advantages.

2 . Windows 10 ATM migrations: The breaking point for banks

Windows upgrades come at a huge cost for ATM operators. Daryl Cornell, CEO of Triton Systems, has been an outspoken proponent of moving aways from Windows. He thinks this latest upgrade is the last straw for many. 

1. Bank branches aren't dying, they're serving up coffee, beer and yoga

Our top blog post of the year covered the topic of bank transformation. As banks transition to the digital realm, they are trying to evolve their branches into something new and think up news ways to attract customers. Some of the ideas they've come up with are a little out there, to say the least.