ATMEquipment Blog Article
March 2015
EMV liability shifts are approaching fast, with MasterCard’s taking affect October 2016 and Visa’s only a year behind. With less than 20 months to go before independent ATM deployers (IADs) become liable for fraud at the ATM, it’s no surprise ATM operators are beginning to make their upgrade plans.
But one glaring question remains — what do you do with your Hyosung / Tranax 1500s? Should you upgrade it or replace it? A new white paper from ATMEquipment.com explains the options for IADs that own/operate the 50,000 active 1500s in the U.S. market today.

Upgrade
The EMV upgrade kit runs $850-$1,000 per machine and includes a new screen, motherboard and card reader. It makes the machine TCPI compatible and upgrades the color and graphics capabilities. As an added bonus, for those still lacking ADA compliance, installing the kit upgrades the 1500 to ADA standards by default.
Shell Unit
A second option open to IADs is to replace the 1500 with a new shell unit. The recently introduced Nautilus Hyosung 2700 shell unit allows IADs to continue using their reliable 1500 dispenser with the look and feel of a new machine, complete with larger screens and modern styling.
While shells are more expensive than the upgrade kit, they are less costly than purchasing a new machine. On average, this solution saves about $150-$200 off the cost of a regular machine.
IADs looking into the shell unit option should make sure they have available dispensers and they are in good condition. They should also obtain specifications and compatibility information to make certain their dispenser is capable of integration — some older models may have compatibility issues depending on the type of 1500 dispenser that came with the machine.
Replace
A third option is to replace the 1500, especially given the age of many of the 1500 machines in the field. When the first liability shift hits in 2016, many of the newest machines will be seven or eight years old. Although the real drawback to replacing the 1500 is the cost — around twice as much or more compared to the 1500 upgrade kit —the pros of a completely new ATM are easy to see.
The location receives a more modern looking machine with the latest technology, which in turn often drives maximum transaction volumes. Replacing the machine also gives IADs the bonus of a warranty and the tax advantages available on new equipment purchases. Upgrade kits are considered parts and are excluded from regular tax depreciation schedules.
The bottom line is that it’s a cost vs. reward decision when it comes to upgrading or replacing the 1500. These three options provide ATM operators with some of the best upgrade paths available for EMV. Now the question for ATM operators is — how will you choose to upgrade your 1500?
Looking for more info on making your 1500 EMV compliant? Check out the complete whitepaper today. Or even look at EMV Central for other facts and figures about EMV.