Will your bank pay Microsoft to keep running it's ATMs?

It’s said roughly 95% of ATMs worldwide are still running on Windows XP, which ultimately means all of the ATMs in SA are running on this dated software, and that’s about to become an expensive problem.

In a statement released to Engadget earlier in March, machine designer NCR said that only a third of banks will upgrade their ATMs to a newer OS before official XP support ends on April 8th. Failure for these banks to update their systems will leave them little choice but to pay Microsoft for an extended contract if they still want support.

Not all faith is lost, at least some local banks plan to update. We sent out comment requests on the updates to the five major banks; Absa, FNB, Capitec, Nedbank and Standard Bank.

Capitec Bank is in the process of upgrading all ATM software.

A spokesperson for Capitec Bank confirmed that they’re in the process of upgrading all of their ATM software. “This process will be completed before the deadline set by Microsoft” said Capitec. Nedbank has also not fallen short of the upgrade, “Nedbank is currently migrating it’s ATM network from Windows XP to Windows 7, which will mitigate the risk of not having adequate support on Windows XP.”

But it’s not all smooth sailing, as banks are facing both technical backlogs and steep transition costs and Absa has backed this notion; “To ensure that there is no impact during this period we have an extended support agreement in place with Microsoft that will see us through to the end of the program.” said Absa. Estimates suggest the big SA banks might pay up to R100 Million each to make the leap. “All desktops and laptops within the Barclays Africa Group will be upgraded and this change process has already begun,” says Peter Rix – Acting CIO: Barclays Africa.

Whether or not your bank joins the modern era, you shouldn’t be surprised of you end up footing some of the bill.

*FNB and Standard Bank Could not be reach for commenting by the time this story was published

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#Absa #ATM #Capitec Bank #FNB #Microsoft #Standard Bank

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.