Wellington Technologies Founder Began His ATM Experience In The Mid-1980’s
Jerry Magnuson, Wellington’s founder began
his ATM experience in the mid-1980’s while working for a large bank
owned computer center in Billings, Montana. In those days ATMs were large,
complex and typically cost over $30,000 to buy and around $2000 per year
for a manufacturers maintenance contract. The technical staff that Jerry
managed wrote and maintained the earliest ATM transaction settlement software
utilizing a central Bunker-Ramo controller direct wired to the ATM itself.
It’s interesting to note that early ATMs were installed in bank lobbies
and only accepted cards from the
financial institution that owned and operated the ATM.
Early ATMs were networked regionally; the formation of national networks
CIRRUS and VISA came later. The national networks prohibited ATM owners
from surcharging. State laws were enacted beginning in 1992 that allowed
surcharging at ATMs within each state. Jerry helped draft changes to the
Montana and Wyoming State banking laws that forbid anyone from preventing
an ATM owner surcharging. Finally in 1994 surcharging was allowed under
the CIRRUS and PLUS operating rules.
Jerry left the data center in late fall of 1994 and founded Wellington
Technologies, Inc. Wellingtons’ mission statement was and still is
to provide ATM owners with the knowledge, equipment and processing services
necessary to ensure ATM
profitability.
From his many years involved in
the infant ATM industry, Jerry knew that the key to profitable ATM
ownership was a greatly reduced cost of operations. The cost of the ATM
equipment itself is only a small part of the total cost of operation.
In fact, installation and repair costs over the 5-year useful life of
today’s ATM could easily equal or exceed the initial cost of
the ATM equipment alone. In 1996 Jerry worked with a Texas based ATM
manufacturer to develop the first truly owner repaired ATM. Since that
time Wellington Technologies, Inc. has sold thousands of ATMs across
America that never experience a service technician’s bill!
Quickly and easily repaired by the ATM owner with
warranty parts
supplied by Wellington, Wellington ATM owners now enjoy annual operating
costs that are typically 50% lower than other manufacturers and can
operate a
profitable ATM with as few as 30 surcharged transactions
per month. That’s less than 1 per day!
The other industry changing concepts Jerry has helped develop include:
Wellington remains committed to
ATM owner profitability by utilizing Jerry’s years of ATM industry experience to drive ever-changing technological innovations that
reduce ATM operating costs. Call Wellington today and experience the difference in ATM ownership.
Give Wellington Technologies a call today to find out how
we can help you with your ATM needs!
1-800-494-6984
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