What do ATM downtime reports reveal about a route’s processor and service?
Downtime reports show when machines were out, for how long, and often why. Patterns point to a weak processor, slow service response, poor connections or a failing machine. Ask for several months of reports by machine, and ask what was done each time the same unit failed.
A single outage means little. A pattern means a lot. Ask for downtime reports broken down by machine and date, then look for clusters. If one location keeps dropping out, the cause may be its network connection, its power, or the machine itself. If many fail together, suspect the processor or a shared service.
Ask how long it took to restore each outage and who did it. Slow response by a service provider shows up as long gaps, and it costs income that never comes back. Ask whether the seller has pushed for improvements and what the provider said. Find out how the processor communicates problems. Does the seller see alerts in real time, or does someone find out from an angry host? Look at how complaints from card holders and hosts are logged. Link the reports to income. Down machines mean fewer transactions, so compare quiet periods in revenue with outage dates. Your accountant can help do this properly.
Finally, ask whether contracts with the processor and service company can be replaced, and what leaving would involve.
Key takeaways
- Look for patterns by machine, location and date rather than isolated outages.
- Ask how fast problems were fixed and who was responsible each time.
- Match outage dates with dips in income to see what downtime really cost.
- Ask whether the contracts with the processor and service company can be replaced, and what leaving them would involve for the route.
Related reading
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
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