Teller assist unit
Encyclopedia
Teller assist units also known as automatic teller safes (ATS) or teller cash dispensers (TCD), are devices used in retail banking
for the disbursement of money at a Bank teller
wicket
or a centralized area. Other areas of application of TAU include the automation of starting and reconciling teller or cashier drawers (tills) in retail, check cashing, payday loan / advance, grocery, and casino operations.
Cash supplies are held in a vault
or safe. Disbursements and acceptance of money take place by means of inputting information through a separate computer to the cash dispensing mechanism inside the vault, which is similar in construction to an automatic teller machine vault.
A TAU provides a secure and auditable way of handling large amounts of cash by tellers without undue risk from robbery
. Some TAUs can be networked and monitored remotely, from a central location - thereby reducing oversight and management resources.
, or a mix of the two.
In the TAU's cash handling mechanisms are several money cartridges. These can be equipped with different cash notes or coinage. The input into the controlling computer makes possible for this unit to disburse the correct amounts. Notes are tested to ensure that they are removed correctly from the cartridges and that no surplus notes are removed. False disbursements are possible, although very rare.
Modern TAUs can be used also for depositing and recycling of banknotes. They use bill validation technology to help ensure the authenticity and fitness of the received cash before it is accepted and recycled to be presented to the customer.
s, and are usually controlled by a computer that is not directly integrated into the overall construction of the unit.
drivers or J/XFS device services.
An independent software provider for J/XFS connectivity is LUTZWOLF Systems GmbH
Retail banking
Retail banking is banking in which banking institutions execute transactions directly with consumers, rather than corporations or other banks. Services offered include: savings and transactional accounts, mortgages, personal loans, debit cards, credit cards, and so forth.-Types of...
for the disbursement of money at a Bank teller
Bank teller
A teller is an employee of a bank who deals directly with most customers. In some places, this employee is known as a cashier. Most teller jobs require cash handling experience and a high school diploma. Most banks provide on the job training....
wicket
Wicket (retail)
A wicket, in British English, is the place where a customer performs a transaction with a customer service representative in a retail context. In American English, equivalent terms include counter or point-of-sale....
or a centralized area. Other areas of application of TAU include the automation of starting and reconciling teller or cashier drawers (tills) in retail, check cashing, payday loan / advance, grocery, and casino operations.
Cash supplies are held in a vault
Bank vault
A bank vault is a secure space where money, valuables, records, and documents can be stored. It is intended to protect their contents from theft, unauthorized use, fire, natural disasters, and other threats, just like a safe...
or safe. Disbursements and acceptance of money take place by means of inputting information through a separate computer to the cash dispensing mechanism inside the vault, which is similar in construction to an automatic teller machine vault.
A TAU provides a secure and auditable way of handling large amounts of cash by tellers without undue risk from robbery
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
. Some TAUs can be networked and monitored remotely, from a central location - thereby reducing oversight and management resources.
Special security considerations
TAUs may delay dispensing of large amounts of money up to minutes to discourage bank robberies. It is however very likely that someone present on the premises has the means to open the cash vault of the device. TAUs may be accessed by keys, combinationCombination lock
A combination lock is a type of lock in which a sequence of numbers or symbols is used to open the lock. The sequence may be entered using a single rotating dial which interacts with several discs or cams, by using a set of several rotating discs with inscribed numerals which directly interact with...
, or a mix of the two.
Construction
A TAU consists of:- A vault
- Cash handling mechanism
- Alarm sensors
In the TAU's cash handling mechanisms are several money cartridges. These can be equipped with different cash notes or coinage. The input into the controlling computer makes possible for this unit to disburse the correct amounts. Notes are tested to ensure that they are removed correctly from the cartridges and that no surplus notes are removed. False disbursements are possible, although very rare.
Modern TAUs can be used also for depositing and recycling of banknotes. They use bill validation technology to help ensure the authenticity and fitness of the received cash before it is accepted and recycled to be presented to the customer.
Differences from ATMs
TAUs are distinct from ATMs in that they are designed to be operated solely by trained branch personnel, they do not integrate directly into interbank networkInterbank network
An interbank network, also known as an ATM consortium or ATM network, is a computer network that connects the ATMs of different banks and permits these ATMs to interact with the ATM cards of non-native banks....
s, and are usually controlled by a computer that is not directly integrated into the overall construction of the unit.
TAU Software
TAUs can be provided with CEN/XFSCEN/XFS
CEN/XFS or XFS provides a client-server architecture for financial applications on the Microsoft Windows platform, especially peripheral devices such as EFTPOS terminals and ATMs which are unique to the financial industry...
drivers or J/XFS device services.
An independent software provider for J/XFS connectivity is LUTZWOLF Systems GmbH
Major TAU manufacturers worldwide
- Alpha CMS (Cash Management Solutions)
- Talaris www.talaris.com (former De La Rue)
- DoCash
- DieboldDieboldDiebold, Inc. is a United States-based security systems corporation that is engaged primarily in the sale, manufacture, installation and service of self-service transaction systems , electronic and physical security products , and software and integrated systems for global financial and...
- NCRNCR CorporationNCR Corporation is an American technology company specializing in kiosk products for the retail, financial, travel, healthcare, food service, entertainment, gaming and public sector industries. Its main products are self-service kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, check...
- ArcaTech Systems
- Wincor NixdorfWincor NixdorfWincor Nixdorf is a German corporation that provides retail and retail banking hardware, software, and services. Wincor Nixdorf is engaged primarily in the sale, manufacture, installation and service of self-service transaction systems , retail banking equipment, lottery terminals, postal...
- Glory USA, Inc.
- Hitachi-Omron