When NCR moved its world headquarters to Duluth in 2009, the eyes of the country were on Gwinnett County. Now, thanks to the innovative contributions of our teams in Georgia and the re-invention of NCR, banks and credit unions can see a little more clearly.

Hundreds of thousands of NCR ATMs dispense cash, take checks and perform a variety of functions in financial institutions, gas stations and other businesses around the globe. Keeping those machines running efficiently and reliably is a part of our job, too, which is why NCR – with the help of our team in Duluth – built APTRA Vision, software that gathers millions of points of data across banks’ ATM networks in order to help them run smoothly.

APTRA Vision is just one example of the many ways that NCR is changing the way consumers interact and connect with businesses, using software as the driving force behind that change. We continue to grow across a variety of industries, making transactions effortless and interactions more valuable for companies and consumers alike. We are transforming the front end of businesses.

This is all part of a larger move for our Financial Services business. We’re re-inventing the consumer banking experience in a variety of ways using technology. NCR makes mobile banking software that lets consumer pay bills and check balances using their mobile phone browser or app. In fact, a number of Georgia banks are using new NCR software that lets their customers deposit a check by taking a picture of it with their mobile phone’s camera – without having to visit the branch or ATM.

We continue to modernize the ATM experience, too. We recently invented software that lets consumers pre-stage an ATM transaction on their phone, and then get their cash at the ATM by taking a photo of a 2D barcode on the home screen – a process that can take less than 10 seconds standing in front of the ATM. In addition, we’re using the ATM to help bring a more personal experience to customers and completely change the term ‘banker’s hours.’ With APTRA Interactive Teller, banks and credit unions are letting customers and members conduct transactions with a live, remote teller over an ATM.

This is just the beginning of the NCR’s facelift to the front end of banking. Thanks to our teams around the world, including in Duluth, and our strong partners in the Georgia university system, we have a bright future in store for the new NCR.

Michael O’Laughlin is senior vice president, NCR Financial Services, www.ncr.com.