The ATM Solo Entrepreneur

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What is the ATM Solo Entrepreneur?

The ATM Solo Entrepreneur

There are several divisions of the financial services industry that are profitable and fairly easy to maneuver, especially for those who have a keen interest in the industry. Just about any capacity of the industry can be simulated either with a large team of individuals or a one to two person operation. This includes anything from big banking institutions on the corners of large cities to a small team of financial consultants in a strip mall complex.

One such financial service or product that can be managed on a small(er) scale is that of the ATM entrepreneur.  The consideration of managing this type of business in a smaller way is in no way reflective of the amount of business that these entrepreneurs do, but rather it’s indicative of how many people or systems are in place to manage a (sometimes) multi-million dollar business, usually by one or two people.

Getting into the ATM business is not at all that difficult, but like any other profitable business, it does require careful planning and the time necessary to put in the work to get the business up and running. For those entrepreneurs who are new to the industry, getting involved with the ATM business will require that they perform thorough research to determine what methods, systems, products and services are right for them. They will need to find and work with reputable vendors and also find ATM machines that are affordable as well as current enough to keep up with any consumer demands for current and future usage.

The solo ATM entrepreneur usually doesn’t get to work with a team of employees. He essentially manages everything himself, down to re-stocking the ATM’s, troubleshooting any problems and working with other outside vendors to make sure the business is run smoothly.

Owning and managing an ATM business can be very lucrative, especially if the owner has multiple machines at different locations. In order to really be profitable, it’s a good idea to have as many machines as possible running so as to ensure a nice monthly profit from that investment.

At any given time, an ATM owner can easily manage as many 50 ATM’s at once. This of course depends on his personal preferences, but to effectively manage large ATM numbers, there are a few things that the solo ATM entrepreneur should have in place before proceeding.

  • A reputable ATM company will take the time necessary to explain the ATM business to a new ATM Entrepreneur to help ensure success.
  • Find a reputable ATM distributor or ATM Company to work with to buy and/or lease machines.  A reputable dealer may even offer to help find or arrange financing for the ATM machines for the owner, especially if they are just starting in their business.
  • It’s suggested to start slow and install one or two ATMs locally and be hands on to learn all the ins and outs of the ATM business.
  • Once the ATM Entrepreneur gains a thorough understanding of the business a larger portfolio should be considered in order to have a full time income.
  • When considering owning and operating a larger number of ATMs (more than 10), it’s important to consider working with accounting and legal professionals to develop a comprehensive, workable business plan that will turn the investment into profit within a reasonable amount of time.
  • Ensure your ATM Company and service provider is able to provide optimal service to include software updates, hardware upgrades and prompt telephone support for an ever-changing component of this type of business. Many times, software engineers and packages come with the services that are provided by the ATM distributor.
  • As a suggestion, it’s best to work within the local area as a new distributor before branching out to outlying areas. This makes it easier for the new distributor to capitalize on those already-established business relationships for possible machine locations.

There are many business owners who have trailed the path to ATM ownership. Looking to these individuals for guidance and direction is sometimes much easier and more preferable than trying to go do things alone. The business does require a lot of detailed, concentrated work on the front end to get things set up. However, once the initial set-up work has been done, then managing the ATM’s on a routine basis becomes easier as time goes along. Over time, the profits begin coming in as the business grows, making the investment much more worthwhile.

Senate Passes ATM Fee Disclosure Bill H.R. 4367

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Senate Passed ATM Fee Disclosure Bill

It was announced late Tuesday evening, December 11, 2012 that the Senate passed bill H.R. 4367, the bill to end the ATM dual fee notification requirement under Regulation E and protect ATM operators from frivolous lawsuits.

This bill will now be passed on to President Obama and will be effective upon his signature.

Note that it is still critical that signage be affixed to every ATM Machine and photo’s be taken with date-stamp (to keep on file) should any lawsuit be filed prior to the bill becoming law.  Proof of installed placards (signage) is your security to prove you installed it and vandals or others removed it to file the suit.  ATM operators must continue to protect themselves until this bill actually becomes law.  Visit our blog to keep informed of any new development.

For a rundown of Regulation E and Bill 4367 watch the presentation below.

Mobile ATMS

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Mobile ATMS

Business owners and entrepreneurs want flexibility and convenience in their lives, which is a large part of the reason why they go into business in the first place. Although they may possibly own several businesses, they are able to stay successful and see growth if they can implement as many automated systems as possible into their stream of business. In the ATM business industry, one of most attracting factors of the industry is its ability to be as convenient and flexible for the owners. ATM machines can be installed almost anywhere and in any location so as to serve customers, whether that’s foot traffic or automobile traffic.

Drive-thru ATM machines are one component of the ATM machine business that has made it quite successful because of its convenience factor. Customers can simply drive through the financial institution’s window and make a transaction without ever getting out of their cars. The customer can make withdrawals, deposits or cash transfers with their banks, much like customers who go inside the bank and do the same thing. There are even ATM windows that also have automated voice response windows that interact with customers, answer questions or give directions, much like a live teller would. Although mobile ATM’s are flexible and convenient, there are also other kinds of ATM services that provide even more flexibility to its customers.

No doubt that customers do like the convenience and flexibility of ATM’s, mobile ATM’s are another type of business that’s also a big draw for customers. You’ll find mobile ATM machines in places or events where stationery machines are not conducive to the situation. Whether the situation involves a security risk or simply the logistics of bringing in a stationery machine, which may not be feasible, mobile ATM’s are more of a safety solution or a practical solution for a service that customers will need.

Events like outdoor concerts or events, fairs or circuses or temporary events are ideal places where mobile ATM’s are found. Mobile ATM machines are generally set-up in locations of the event that are going to see high traffic. This is usually at the entrance of the event where there is a lot of traffic, but also where there is going to be more of a secure area instead of tucked away somewhere at the event that’s far away from the bulk of people traffic.

To further ensure that the ATM machines are kept safe and secure, they may be drilled down to a foundation or bound to a stationery area or post that’s already at the event. ATM machines generally weight in the thousands of pounds, making theft a difficult possibility. However, by securing the ATM machine to a firm foundation, this further ensures that there won’t be any problems at the event.

Mobile ATM’s can be moved from one site to another generally easily enough to make it a business that many ATM business owners concentrate solely on doing. Instead of owners finding and renting a location to hold their ATM machines, they simply book events and locations where they can park their mobile ATM’s and do business.

Attracting mobile ATM customers is certainly not a problem either. Anywhere where there is a steady amount of diverse traffic at an event is an opportune time for ATM owners to serve customers looking for cash machines. Workshops, seminars, concerts and even corporate events that travel from one location to another are perfect for mobile cash operations. ATM business owners can work out contracts with the event planners to host cash machines at their events for each time the event occurs. This is an ideal flexible solution for both business owners and the customers.

 

A mobile automated teller machine (ATM) is a special type of ATM. Most ATMs are meant to be stationary, and they’re often found attached to the side of financial institutions, in stores, and in malls. A mobile ATM machine, on the other hand, is meant to be moved from location to location. This type of ATM is often found at special events for which ATM service is only needed temporarily. For example, they may be found at carnivals, fairs, and parades. They may also be used at seminars and workshops when there is no regular ATM nearby.

Mobile ATMs are usually self-contained units that don’t need a building or enclosure. Usually, a mobile ATM can be placed in just about any location and can transmit transaction information wirelessly, so there’s no need to have a phone line handy. Mobile ATMs may, however, require access to an electrical source, though there are some capable of running on alternative sources of power. Often, these units are constructed of weather-resistant materials, so they can be used in practically any type of weather conditions. Additionally, these machines typically have internal heating and air conditioning units that help keep them functional despite the temperature of the environment.

In many cases, mobile ATMs are equipped with safety features. This can be important for inspiring confidence in the people who want to use them. If a potential customer feels that using a mobile ATM places him at risk, he may be far less likely to withdraw money and spend it at an event. To help ATM users feel more secure, a mobile ATM often comes equipped with fluorescent lighting, and some come equipped with canopies as well. By placing a mobile ATM in a bright, well-exposed area of an event, an event planner can further help ensure user security.

While a business owner or event planner could depend on nearby ATMs to serve his customers, a mobile ATM can also provide financial benefits. For example, if an event attendee has to leave an event to get cash from another machine, he may be less likely to spend money at the event. A mobile ATM, however, makes it easy for people to make impulse purchases without searching for an ATM. This type of ATM may also make it easier for event vendors to make money, even if they do not have credit card terminals. If easy access to an ATM isn’t provided, on the other hand, event attendees may be less likely to spend money with vendors who cannot take credit cards.

 

Bill Paying and Consolidating Via ATMs

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As if ATM machines weren’t simply convenient enough, the technology to do just about everything imaginable with using ATM’s can certainly get a lot better for some customers.

Bill Paying and Consolidating

Bill Paying and Consolidating Via ATMs

ATM machines that are designed to do a whole lot more than simply dispense cash is what a lot of convenience stores and bill payment kiosks in the mall are getting into doing. These custom-made machines or ATM-styled terminals are also known as Vcoms. They look, act and produce just like an ATM machines, but they’re able to do so much more than the standard machines that are cash dispensers. Made and manufactured by the Verizon communication services company, these machines can:

  • – dispense cash (of course)
  • – handle bill payments to several categories of bill payors
  • – allows customers to send money to other recipients (money transfers)
  • – consolidate bills and bill payments
  • – cash checks

Just about anything dealing with the transference of cash or cash activities is a big draw with these types of machines. Those customers who really like what it offers are the ones who want to keep their financial dealings brief and streamlined.

Bill Paying and Consolidating via ATMs When You Don’t own a computer?

There are many customers who do not own a computer, and simply just don’t want to for various reasons. Whether those reasons are personal or financial, they choose not to have a computer to perform their various weekly or monthly financial obligations, but choose instead to use these bill-paying kiosks to take care of everything.

It’s an especially useful form of financial management for those customers who have chosen to do bill consolidation and streamline their financial activities and debts. When they decide to reduce their spending, they may also reduce other things in their lives, which can also include the way(s) that they take care of any financial obligations. In bill consolidation, reducing computers and hardware in favor of kiosks is for some the best method to use.

Bill consolidating does get mixed responses from everyone on either side of the fence. That’s likely going to be because while people do in fact feel differently about this method of financial organization, it’s also a process that has given many individuals mixed feelings overall. Some agree with its validity and effectiveness, while there are still others who think that bill consolidation is an idea that should be done away with. No matter which side of the table people may stand, it is true that there are some good and some not so good benefits of bill consolidation that each individual should consider before engaging in this type of financial dealings. They should know what they can and should expect.

Bill consolidation allows individuals to eliminate their debts quickly and gives them flexibility needed to restructure their entire financial picture. They can consolidate debts into one bill payment to make things easier to manage. They can also use the bill consolidation process to rebuild any weak credit or damaged credit scenarios. This is especially helpful if people are trying to reestablish their credit standing or need to establish themselves as a viable credit risk. And since this bill payment method style can be managed at most any specialized kiosk ATM machine at any time, it makes it an even more convenient and attractive form of payment for its customers.

Bill payees aren’t concerned with where or how the payments originate, or how often the customer uses the kiosk. However, the customer does need to use a trusted, reliable and reputable kiosk machine in places where he knows they will work. Other than availability and functionality, these types of kiosks are a wonderful convenience for most any busy lifestyle.

Working with bill consolidation and using technologically advanced resources gives customers the satisfaction of feeling accomplished with a goal and also feeling better about their financial pictures while working towards their end result and financial goals.