TAMPA, Fla.–USF FCU has selected Dolphin Debit to handle operations of its ATM fleet.
The strategy has already paid off with major savings in staff time and overall smoother operations, the company said.
The $930-million, 65,000-member credit union serves the University of South Florida faculty, staff, and alumni, along with a number of other major SEGs, such as Darden Restaurants and Tampa General Hospital. It has 19 ATMs, with two more to be installed later this year in hospitals currently under construction.
Chief Technology Officer James Stock said USF FCU had always operated its own ATMs, but when that became an overwhelming burden, the credit union knew it needed a better approach.
“The cost and complexities of keeping up with the ATM operating systems and patches were just too time consuming,” Stock said. “Some of the devices were end of life and requiring costly updates, and employees were spending a great deal of time scheduling cash services, repairs, and updates and managing connectivity.”
‘Great References’
According to the company, USF FCU called in a consultant for guidance in making the change to outsourcing, and among the companies the credit union considered for partnering, Dolphin Debit stood out.
“Dolphin Debit just had the best overall options for us, and had great references. They could do everything we were looking to do,” Stock said.
Dolphin Debit said that for USF FCU, the top priorities were reducing the ATM management burden, ensuring highly reliable ATM operations, and the ability to add ATMs anywhere they want with just an update to the service agreement.
“Prior to Dolphin Debit, we had three or four people consistently dealing with cash ordering, disputes, and keeping ATMs up and running,” Stock said. “We have probably saved at least two full-time positions by outsourcing, and employees can do other things instead now. We gained our productivity back.”
‘Gets to Be Too Much’
Added Joe Woods, SVP-marketing and strategic partnerships with Dolphin Debit, “Even among larger credit unions with ample staffs, eventually the management burden associated with ATMs gets to be too much. They come to realize their time can be far better spent in more productive member service activities rather than in managing their machines.
For info:dolphindebit.com.