Glossary
Do you want to save money by purchasing 'as-new' remanufactured ATMs but are baffled by industry jargon?
ATMs do not have to be complex. Most ATM users don't need extra functionality from their ATMs. They simply want a 'cash and dash' service - money in a hurry.
But even the simplest ATMs can seem bewildering for buyers unfamiliar with industry jargon.
So TestLink has provided the following glossary to help you make an informed choice and buy ATMs and ATM spares that are right for you:
APTRA |
ATM operating software. |
ARIA |
Latest pick module with belts instead of rollers to transport notes to the presenter. |
ATM |
Automated Teller Machine, also known as a cash point, cash machine, hole in the wall machine. |
ATMdesk |
A standalone quick booting diagnostic tool for NCR ATMs giving full access to error codes. TestLink is an approved supplier for this software. |
ATMIA |
ATM Industry Association. |
Ballasts |
Power supplies for fluorescent tubes. |
BART |
Beeper Amplifier Reset and Tamper PCB used in Pivat cores. |
BIOS |
Basic Input/Output System. Instruction set programmed in chip on motherboard (with battery backup). Options such as system time and date can be changed here. |
Black Dot/Mark |
Method used by the receipt printer to calibrate cutting of receipts. |
BNA |
Bunched Note Acceptor. Depository that accepts many varied notes without an envelope. |
CAFU |
A PCB in a PELE core which gives access to the parallel and serial ports 3 and 4. |
Card Reader |
The module that reads the details from the customer's card. |
CASS |
Short for cassette. |
Cassette |
Storage container for cash notes to be dispensed. |
Cassette Locking Bar |
A security device designed to safeguard cash cassettes in an ATM. |
Cencon |
A type of electronic safe lock, also known as Mass Hamilton. |
CIT |
Cash In Transit. |
CMOS |
Basic Input/Output System. Instruction set programmed in chip on motherboard (with battery backup). Options such as system time and date can be changed here. |
Collar Kit |
Set of plastics that surround a TTW ATM and seal it to the wall. |
Configuration |
The arrangement of how items of ATM hardware or software is built. |
CPM |
Cheque Processing Module. Depository that accepts and reads cheques. |
CPK+ |
Card Protection Kit, an anti-skimming security device. |
CROPF |
Card return on power fail. Battery/PCB which returns the card to the customer if the ATM loses power. |
CRT |
Cathode Ray Tube. Now obselete glass tube style monitor - superseded by LCD. |
Decals |
Printed stickers that show the types of card accepted and which way to insert them. |
DES |
Standard for encryption. |
Dial Up |
Method of communication with host, using public telephone lines. |
Depository |
Module that accepts cash and cheques in an envelope. |
Depository Bin |
Storage container for customer deposits. |
Dispenser |
Module that picks cash notes from the cassette and presents them to the customer. |
Dispenser Control Board |
Main controller for the operation of the cash dispenser module. |
Dispenser Sensors |
Devices that monitor the passage of cash notes through the dispenser. |
Easy Point |
Family of NCR ATMs - small freestanding convenience models. |
EJ |
Electronic Journal. Transactions are saved to the ATM's hard drive. |
Encryption |
Method of scrambling customers' details to prevent fraud. |
Enhanced |
Next generation of dispenser after I.E. |
EOP |
Enhanced Operator Panel. LCD display and keyboard used by the operator/engineer to input. |
EPP |
Encrypting Pin Pad. Customer keyboard that also houses the encryptor. |
F/A |
Front Access. Lobby ATM which is serviced from the front. |
Fascia |
The plastic moulded front of the ATM that faces the customer. |
FDK |
Function Display Key. The variable function keys down either side of the monitor. |
FLM |
First Line Maintenance. Removing jams and fitting paper rolls - no tools used. |
GOP |
Graphical Operator Panel. Touch screen for operator, used on Self Serv ATMs. |
HELGA |
High End LCD Graphics Adaptor. Digital Driver PCB for some LCD monitors. |
Hood |
Lid or top cabinet door which lifts/opens for access to EOP and printers etc. |
I2C |
Interface to cassettes. Bus that connects the pick modules to the dispenser control board. |
IAD |
Independent ATM Deployers. |
I.E. |
Improved Electronics. Term used for a particular generation of dispensers. |
IMCRW |
Integrated Motorised Card Reader Writer. More modern version of SCRW. |
Jitter |
An anti-fraud measure programmed into the card reader. |
Journal Printer |
Module that records all transactions for later reference by the ATM operator. |
LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display. |
LDR |
Light Dependent Resistor. Sensor that dims the monitor in low ambient light conditions. |
Leased line |
A permanent communication connection to the host. |
LISA |
Serial Adaptor PCB in a Pivat to give access to the SSPAs serial ports 3 and 4. |
Lobby |
Type of ATM that is freestanding indoors. |
Logo Panel |
Fluorescent light cover bearing an operator's name/logo. |
LVDT |
Linear Variable Differential Transducer. Device that ensures that only one note is dispensed at a time. |
MEI |
Media Entry Indicator. Flashing green light that prompts the user for card input, cash output etc. |
Misc I/F |
Miscellaneous Interface PCB. Board which controls various functions including MEIs and Fluorescent tubes. |
Modem |
Type of communications device which uses an ordinary telephone line to dial the host. |
Mode Switch |
Switch for toggling between Supervisor mode and Normal Mode. |
MTBF |
Mean time between failures. |
Non-surcharging ATMs |
ATMs that do not charge a fee for withdrawing cash. |
Normal Mode |
Mode in which the ATM is in service and available for customer use. |
NTS |
Note Thickness Sensor. Later version of LVDT for ensuring a single note at a time is picked. |
NVRAM |
Non Volatile Random Access Memory. Area of PC where configuration is held permenantly by battery. |
Opacity |
Older method of detecting double notes by shining a light through the note. |
Outdoor Pods |
Weatherproof housings for remote ATMs. |
PCB |
Printed Circuit Board. Term for any electronic circuit board with components fitted. |
PC Core |
Computer in the ATM that runs the software and controls the modules. |
PELE 2 |
Pentium Entry Level Electronics 2. ATM PC core motherboard - supported Pentium 3 up to 1 GHZ processor. |
Personas |
Generation of NCR ATMs (5870, 5884, 5885, 5886 etc.). |
Pick Module |
Module that picks notes from the cassette and moves them to the presenter. |
PIRAT |
Power good Reset and Tamper PCB in Taledega cores. |
PIVAT |
ATM PC core motherboard - superceded PELE 2. |
PM |
Preventative Maintenance. |
Pre I.E |
Before I.E. Early generation of currency dispenser. |
Presenter |
Module (part of the dispenser) that presents cash to the customer. |
PSU |
Power Supply Unit. Module that converts mains electricity into the DC voltages required by all the ATM modules. |
Purge Bin |
Container that stores rejected cash notes from the dispenser. |
R/A |
Rear Access. Lobby ATM which is serviced from the back. |
Raminator |
Anti-ramming device for ATMs. Works by absorbing and deflecting the force exerted during an ATM ram raid. |
RAT |
Reset and Tamper PCB in Pivat cores. |
Receipt Printer |
Module that issues a transaction receipt to the customer. |
Remote ATM |
ATM that is not sited in a bank. Locations would include petrol stations, convenience stores. |
SCIF |
Smart Card Interface PCB. Interfaces the chipstation to the SCRW. |
SCRW |
Smart Card Reader Writer. Module that reads and writes data to the customer card. |
SDC |
Serial Data Communications. The main data communications connecting the modules in an ATM. |
Secure Disposal |
Highly secure and tracked method of destroying hard drives and EPPs as offered by TestLink. |
SelfServ |
Latest family of NCR ATMs (6622, 6625, 6634 etc). |
Shutter |
Door mechanism that prevents customers tampering with modules. This opens to let the customer have authorised access to modules (such as the card reader or cash presenter). |
Singularity |
Measurement method of determining thickness of notes for double detection. |
Skimming |
Fitting fraudulent devices to ATMs in order to clone customers' cards. |
SLM |
Second Line Maintenance. Full repair service for the ATM including parts replacement. |
SOH |
State of Health. Display on the operator display which lists any faults or low media. |
SSPA/B |
Self Service Personality Adaptor/Board. Adds SDC capability to PC cores without it built in. |
Statement Printer |
Printer that produces A4-sized statements to the customers. |
Sunlight Viewable |
High brightness LCD monitor. |
Supervisor Mode |
Mode in which ATM is serviced - not in use for the customer. |
Surcharging ATMs |
ATMs that charge a fee for withdrawing cash. |
Talledega |
ATM PC core motherboard - superseded PIVAT board. |
TCPIP Communications |
Communications protocol (Internet communication). |
Triple DES |
64-bit encryption system. |
TTW |
Through The Wall. An ATM that is fitted through a hole in the wall. |
Vacuum |
Method used to pick notes from cassettes during dispensing. |
Vestibule |
A lobby ATM that is fitted through an internal wall with a collar kit sealing the hole. |
WEEE |
The Waste Electrical & Electronic Directive. |
Download a PDF Copy of the TestLink Glossary
Need more help? Check out all the information and advice in TestLink's:
- ATM Buyers' Guide - all the questions you should be asking when you buy remanufactured and refurbished ATMs
- ATM Parts Buyers' Guide - all the questions you should be asking when you buy refurbished ATM Parts
To ask more questions about which ATMs are best for you, contact the ATM Sales Team:
UK
t: +44 (0) 1202 627 100
e:
CZ
t: +420 220 121 450
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