The Phoenix CPU runs on WRG's operating system. It also uses its own communications protocol, similar in principle to Diebold's 911/912 and NCR's NDC.

What makes the Phoenix unique, say WRG heads, is its versatility. It can be used to replace the firmware of ATMs that use the Verifone Omni 490 — ATMs that cannot be made Triple DES compliant. It also can be used as a conversion kit for older ATM lines, such as the Triton 9500 and Tidel's SC and TD.

The company estimates about 10,000 ATMs that use the Verifone Omni 490 are still operating in the off-premise space. Jason Kuhn, WRG's vice president of operations, said that's a considerable number of machines that other manufacturers would simply like to replace.

The Phoenix was designed to offer options, Kuhn said.

"The old Triton 9500s and Tidel SCs and TDs will continue to run for a very long time. With the upgrade, we could keep those running forever. For those units, you take the front off and put the Phoenix in. It's basically just a facelift."

(Photograph submitted by WRG) Shown above is the Tidel TD with the Phoenix CPU.

The Phoenix offers ATM deployers and operators a competitive conversion-kit price. As part of an upgrade kit, which includes an encrypting PIN pad and mono-chrome LCD display, for the Triton 9500 and Tidel SC or TD units, the price is $699. As an upgrade to Omni 490-based units, the price is $599.

With pressing compliance deadlines facing the industry, WRG hopes the Phoenix will make an impression on legacy-ATM deployers and give a stay of execution to older models that would otherwise top the trash heap.

"The Phoenix replaces the Verifone (Omni 490) itself. It's the same size, has the same connectors and it uses the same input voltage," Kuhn said. "Right now, it's a low-cost alternative to all other products. It's packed with a ton of memory, but it's a basic ATM-driving cash dispenser with abilities built in for all future compliance, like ADA."

For Tritons and Tidels, the Phoenix can be used as a conversion kit, transforming them into fully compliant Triple DES, PCI-compliant ATMs, said Jim Penza, WRG's president.

"We've done six months of actual field trials, but we did a lot of testing before that," he said. "We gave away upgrade kits to the distributors that processed with us. And we're still doing it today. It was a way for us to build our processing business."

Dennis Baker, a WRG distributor who works with Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle grocery chain and about 50 independent retailers, said the Phoenix is a viable alternative.

"I have complete confidence in the Phoenix," he said.

The Phoenix's modular design not only makes drop-in changes and upgrades easier, he said, it eases the burden of service.

"A lot of times the merchants will do the maintenance themselves. So if the CPU goes down, we can send them the CPU and they can replace it," Baker said. "The WRG ATM is very easy to fix, and that's important to a lot of my customers."

Baker said the upgrade not only addresses Triple DES, but Payment Card Industry Compliance, too.

(Photograph submitted by WRG) The Triton 9500 with the Phoenix CPU.

A processing push

WRG is promoting the Phoenix as a way to build its processing business among its 260 distributors as well as prospective distributors. WRG has an installed base of approximately 6,500 ATMs, for which the company processes all transactions.

The Phoenix is a cost-conservative solution for the off-premise market, Kuhn said. But for WRG, the Phoenix is really an avenue by which it hopes to build its processing business.

"Doing the processing provides us with a different focus," he said. "Our business model isn't based around making sure we make all our money off the equipment-sale and the upgrading and maintenance over the long-term. Our primary focus is on the transaction processing."

Also helpful, Kuhn said, is that WRG manufactures the product. That gives WRG options and flexibility to quickly adapt to industry changes.

"We have the ability to customize the software," Kuhn said. "We can start adding in the bells and whistles that make sense when the time is right."